Are you moving into a place that uses a furnace instead of radiator heat? If so, there will be a bit of an adjustment to get used to a different way to heat your home. You're likely unfamiliar with all of the things that can go wrong with a furnace, which is why it helps to know about the following three problems to watch out for.
Loud Banging
Does the furnace make a loud noise every time it turns on? If so, this is not a normal sound that a furnace makes, and is actually an indication of a bigger problem. This loud bang that you hear is what happens when gas is collecting inside the furnace before the burner ignites. It is essentially a small explosion due to the igniter switch being broken. You'll want to have an HVAC technician come out to your home to repair or replace this part to get the furnace back to working how it is supposed to.
Increased Heating Bills
Take a close look at your gas bills to see how much energy was used last year to heat your home. Has the bill significantly gone up compared to a previous year, and the average outdoor temperature remained the same? If so, this means that there is a problem with the furnace. It may be due to the blower motor being damaged and not forcing air properly through the ductwork, or even a dirty air filter that is clogging the path of the hot air the furnace produces. It's a problem work investigating to see if it can be fixed.
Feeling Ill When The Heat Is On
If you only pay attention to one thing related to your furnace running properly, it should be how it can affect your own health. If everyone in your home is complaining about headaches, dizziness, or overall not feeling well, this is an indication that you could have a carbon monoxide leak in your home. It's a gas that may easily seep into the air if your home's furnace is broken, and the gas is both odorless and colorless, which makes it hard to identify. If you have these symptoms, leave your house immediately and wait to have your HVAC system inspected by a heating service professional.
It's better to be overly cautious in this type of situation, since a faulty carbon monoxide detector can cause you to miss any early detection of a carbon monoxide leak.
