Furnace repair is not the same as air-conditioning repair, and what we mean by that is depending on the issue with the furnace, a furnace in need of repair can be dangerous.
What are things I need to be aware of when my furnace needs repair?
When it comes to issues requiring furnace repair – Safety First
- Do you have a gas leak?
In New Jersey, a high percentage of furnaces are gas, and gas is nothing to take chances with. If you have a gas leak related to your furnace not functioning, you may smell sulfur, which has the aroma of rotten eggs, if you smell or even suspect a gas leak, don’t worry about the furnace repair, leave the house immediately and call the gas company—don’t try to fix anything yourself.
Once the gas leak is repaired, then you can call a trained HVAC company to fix the furnace and do an inspection on the entire heating system. - Carbon monoxide (CO): A furnace in need of repair, service, or one that may not have been installed properly, can leak CO, which unlike a gas leak is much harder to detect since CO is odorless and can be lethal, which is why it’s called the silent killer. Make sure you have a working CO detector near your furnace and in sleeping areas. If you suspect a CO leak, leave the house immediately and call 911. Again, once the leak has been addressed, then call a qualified furnace repair company.
Something to take advantage of if you live in NJ
DMG Mechanical, as a service to New Jersey residents, offers an annual no obligation free CO test and inspection.
3. Electrical risks related to a failing furnace: Are the lights flickering, breakers tripped, or sparks in the electrical panel or near the furnace most likely means there is an electrical issue. If you can turn off the power of the furnace or HVAC system safely, do that, if you cannot, exit the home and call 911.
The good thing about electrical issues when it comes furnace repair is that modern furnaces have many safety mechanisms that will cause the power to be cut to the furnace should there be a short. But we don’t recommend you count on that, better safe than sorry, there are too many things that can go wrong within and outside of the furnace, especially one that has not been serviced in a while.
For all these issues, it is always best to be safe and not worry about anything buy you and your family first. Once everyone is safe, you can call a reputable, licensed and insured furnace repair company in NJ like DMG Mechanical.
What are the signs that my furnace needs repair?
The six simple signs you need a furnace repair:
- No heat. It sounds simple but some people keep the temperature in their home low and may not notice a few degrees drop. If you find yourself needing to put on a jacket, you may want to check your furnace.
- Uneven heating. Uneven heating can be hard to detect, but if areas of the home are abnormally colder than others, your furnace may need repair.
- Strange noises (banging, screeching, rattling). Either your house is haunted, or your furnace needs repair. Some noises can be normal, especially from a furnace that is turned on for the NJ colder months for first time. If the noises continue after initial turn on, your furnace may need repair or a simple furnace servicing.
- Furnace short cycling (turns on/off frequently). This happens often but does not always indicate a costly furnace repair. Sometimes a furnace turning on and off frequently indicates a clogged filter, and you just may need a simple service. If the filters on the furnace were recently changed, it may be something a little more complex and require a repair.
- Higher energy bills without a change in usage. This is one to be on the look out for. As furnaces age, they take more power to use and become less efficient, especially older units. Usually not an emergency, but best to call an HVAC company early before there is a bigger issue.
- Weak airflow from vents. A tell-tale-sign of a furnace that is failing. Very easy to identify and in some cases, a simple repair.
A trusted furnace repair company. For over two decades DMG Mechanical has been a trusted family-owned furnace repair and HVAC company in NJ, serving hundreds of homes a year. If you need furnace repair, our 24-hour emergency service will always be there when you need us.
Schedule an expert furnace repair or HVAC system service today.
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