Picture this—it’s February in Maryland, you wake up in the middle of the night to grab a glass of water, and you realize your home is freezing cold. The thermostat reads 58 degrees! Not only is your house cold, but the worst part is you’ll have to wait until the morning to call your local HVAC contractor.
This entire situation could be avoided had you scheduled a furnace tune-up way back in the fall. Most homeowners in Maryland choose to skip their annual furnace maintenance inspection because their furnace has never broken down before. But, there are some telltale signs your furnace needs a tune-up.
We’ve outlined 10 signs you need a furnace tune-up below.
Signs You Need a Furnace Tune-Up
- There’s no heat – Perhaps the most obvious sign your furnace needs a tune-up, if there is no heat flowing through your ductwork and coming out of your registers, you need a furnace tune-up. A professional HVAC technician will inspect your furnace from head-to-toe to diagnose and repair your furnace.
- Energy bills rise – If you notice your energy bills are increasing each month after turning on your furnace, chances are your heating system is not running at its peak efficiency. A furnace tune-up will ensure all the nuts and bolts are tightened and your system is as efficient as possible.
- Your furnace smells – If you have a gas furnace, it’s normal to expect a faint smell of burnt fuel. But, if the smell is overwhelming in other rooms or is stronger in rooms closer to your furnace, you need a furnace tune-up. If your home smells like rotten eggs or unburnt gas, give us a call and schedule a furnace tune-up.
- Your furnace makes a loud banging noise – Your furnace won’t operate silently. When your heating system is running smoothly you can expect some noises, but a loud banging noise may be an indicator that your blower motor needs repair.
- Carbon monoxide detector goes off – The fifth sign you need a furnace tune-up is if your carbon monoxide detector goes off. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that could be fatal if you inhale too much. If the carbon monoxide detector goes off in your home, your furnace may not be burning fuel completely. When your carbon monoxide detector goes off, shut off all gas appliances—including your furnace—open the windows in your home, and call the fire department. Once your home is deemed clear to re-enter, contact your HVAC contractor to repair your furnace.
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- Raising your thermostat doesn’t work – Another sign your furnace needs a tune-up is if raising your thermostat doesn’t work. When you’re cold, your first instinct is to turn up the heat! But, a malfunctioning thermostat or furnace could prevent you from catching a little R&R in your home.
- Your pilot light is yellow or orange – When operating correctly, your furnace’s pilot light should burn blue. If you notice your pilot light is yellow or orange in color, it’s a surefire sign your furnace needs a tune-up.
- Your furnace is old – As your furnace ages, the more important a furnace tune-up becomes. The average lifespan of a furnace is 10 – 20 years. If your furnace is between 10 and 15 years old, we highly recommend schedule a furnace inspection.
- Your furnace needs frequent repairs – If you’ve repaired your furnace more than once in the past two years, take it as a sign your furnace needs a tune-up. Frequent repairs means your furnace is on the fritz, so an inspection will help detect any issues before the peak of heating season arrives.
- Your furnace turns on and off a lot – If you notice your furnace turning on, running for a few seconds, then turning off again, chances are you need a tune-up. Your furnace could have faulty wiring, a fan motor may be fixed, or your thermostat could be malfunctioning.
Benefits of Furnace Tune-Ups
An annual furnace tune-up provides many benefits to you, your home, and your family. These include:
- Improved air flow
- Improved indoor air quality
- Fewer repairs
- Reduced repair costs
- Improved energy efficiency
Additionally, scheduling a furnace tune-up each fall upholds your manufacturer’s warranty, which could save you thousands of dollars in the event of a breakdown.
Schedule Furnace Maintenance in Maryland
GAC Services is Maryland’s trusted heating contractor. Our licensed technicians are the foundation of our company and are some key contributors to our many industry awards.
If you live in Montgomery County or Frederick County, call GAC Services for furnace maintenance this fall. We’ll inspect your furnace in addition to the rest of your entire heating system—ductwork, electrical wiring, and furnace components, and more.
