Your furnace keeps the temperatures manageable and comfortable even during the coldest winter days. That said, most homeowners do not notice their furnace humming in the background as it operates. Note that even though manufacturers design these appliances to have a long and useful life, the quality of maintenance and service you provide will determine whether yours lasts its intended lifespan. As such, understand the cause of these three furnace problems and ways to resolve them.

Has the Unit Stopped Producing Heat?

The primary function of the furnace is to distribute warm air throughout the home. Hence, you should be alarmed if the system isn't producing heat as it should. In most cases, a wrong thermostat setting is one of the simple reasons the system is not heating as it should. Often, the thermostat might be on, but you have programmed it wrong. For example, a fan setting on the thermostat will keep circulating cold air back into the home. You can also check the filter to ensure it hasn't gathered dust, restricting airflow through the house. If none of these is the issue, call a technician to assess the possible causes of a furnace blowing cold air, and take appropriate action.

Does It Keep Turning On and Off?

Another troubling indicator is when the system keeps turning on and off. In such a case, the unit will cycle on and off when heating the room. Note that the cycle length varies depending on the prevalent weather conditions. However, if the on-and-off patterns become more than the regular intervals, you probably have a system problem. You should know that lack of airflow inside the furnace is one of the common reasons for cycling on and off at short intervals. Given this, call a technician to clean or replace the filter to resolve the system problem. If blocked air filters are not the cause, the expert will troubleshoot and resolve other system problems causing that cause short cycling.

 Is Your Unit Making Unusual Noises?

Another indicator that the furnace might need some fine-tuning is when it keeps making unusual noises. These might include a whooshing sound as the air travels through the ducts. On other occasions, it might make a clicking sound when it turns on. On the other hand, knocking and rattling noises might indicate that something has become loose in the system and needs tightening. Hence, you should call a technician to assess the system and determine whether it needs repairs.

The best way to deal with furnace problems is by calling a furnace repair technician when you encounter an issue you cannot resolve. With their help, you can correct the problem and prevent premature system failure. 

For more info, contact a local company like Heaney Plumbing & Heating.