Under normal conditions, a gas furnace will operate well if it’s properly installed, regularly tested, and maintained by an HVAC technician. There may be times when the furnace doesn’t work as expected and a repair is needed. But, there may be other times when an emergency furnace repair is required and it may be difficult to tell the difference. To exacerbate the situation, these types of problems tend to happen at the worst possible time when you’re less likely to notice that an emergency repair is essential. In this article, we will show five ways to identify emergency furnace problems and how to deal with the situation.

1.  Electrical Problems

Even if you have a gas furnace, you still need electricity to power your heating and cooling systems. When the lights are flickering, it’s likely that many electrical systems are affected and this can include gas ignition systems. It’s estimated that electrical failures cause around 44,000 house fires each year resulting in approximately 430 deaths and 1,620 injuries. These fires cause around $1.5 billion in property damage alone and tackling these fires or attempting a DIY repair is not recommended. If you’re experiencing electrical problems related to your gas furnace, it’s time to call your local heating and cooling specialist.

2.  Short or Rapid Cycling

Short cycling is also known as rapid cycling and these terms mean the same thing. This is when the furnace or AC system turns on and then off again quickly. This behavior introduces extra strain on the heating and cooling components which causes them to wear out quickly. There are a few reasons why this might happen, the first is a dirty air filter that prevents sufficient airflow to keep the system cool. Avoiding this overheating problem is simple if you change the air filter regularly and you can set a reminder. Avoid using older filters to “save money” that place extra stress on the compressor unit which can cause a mechanical failure. If you change the filter and the problem persists, it’s time to contact your local HVAC specialist. This may not be an emergency unless the weather is very cold or hot, but it can become more serious over time. The blower motor and belts may be malfunctioning or the entire HVAC system may be incorrectly sized or badly installed. A heating and cooling professional will be able to identify the cause quickly and suggest a course of action to fix the problem.

3.  Strange Furnace Noises

Under normal operating conditions, the furnace should work quietly, it may be noticeable, but any sounds tend to fade into the background. If the furnace is still working, but there is a louder noise this may be a ductwork insulation problem. But, if the noises are emanating from the furnace the cause may be a lack of lubrication on the blower motor or an improperly adjusted pilot light. Another possible cause is a loose blower unit belt or the burners may need cleaning. The noise that you can hear may give you some clues on the type of problem that you may be dealing with, they are:

  • Rattling: This occurs when the furnace panels are loose and tightening them will fix the problem.
  • Popping or Pinging: The most likely cause is thermal expansion, the ductwork is expanding and contracting repeatedly during heating and cooling.
  • Grinding: The motor bearings are probably damaged and they are creating friction with other components.
  • Squealing: This is usually a loose or broken fan belt that needs to be adjusted or replaced.

As you can see, some problems are more serious than others, but it would be hard to categorize any of them as emergency repairs. That being said, the longer these noises are ignored the worse these problems tend to be. When a problem is detected earlier, it prevents further damage to the system and the repair bill is lower.

4.  A Strange “Rotten Egg” Odor

The source of the smell is sulfur and it’s very hard to ignore for a reason. If you can smell sulfur, it’s important to gather everyone and leave the home immediately. Then call a local heating and cooling specialist to take a look at your furnace. Natural gas cannot be seen or smelled under normal circumstances and this makes it too dangerous to use in the home. People that breathe natural gas can succumb to the fumes quickly and this could result in fatalities. To deal with this risk the gas company adds this sulfur smell to the gas to make it easier for you to detect in an emergency situation. This odor may also be accompanied by a hissing sound which is the gas leaking from the furnace or gas line. Leaking gas is extremely dangerous, it can cause house fires and even explosions.

5.  A Yellow Pilot Light Flame

If your furnace has a pilot light, it should be a clear blue color if it’s working efficiently. But, if the flame is yellow or close to that color there is probably a combustion problem. This is very dangerous, when the gas is not combusted properly excessive quantities of carbon monoxide may be present.

Carbon monoxide is known as “the silent killer” because it can be lethal and cannot be detected with our senses. Carbon monoxide is an ever present threat in any home that has a fireplace, gas furnace, or range. This poison can build-up in the home and even mild exposure can make people feel sick. Installing carbon monoxide detectors and regularly checking the batteries is essential. But, if you do have a problem it’s time to call an HVAC professional to fix it for you. The usual approach is to clean or replace the burner assembly to restore correct combustion. It’s worth noting that this key component is inspected and cleaned during a maintenance visit.

If you want to schedule some preventative maintenance or you have a problem with your heating system, contact your local HVAC specialist today.