Even a reliable furnace can leave you high and dry if skipped maintenance, odd noises, or bargain repair services sneak up on you. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to look out for—from spotting unsettling sounds and avoiding cheap-but-risky quick fixes to recognizing the warning signs of a dangerous gas leak. By staying informed and acting early, you can keep your home cozy, your wallet happy, and your family safe.
Even though it spends its life in the dark, lonely basement, a furnace is a precision appliance that requires regular maintenance to avoid breaking down. Unfortunately, because it is tucked away in the basement it all too often falls into the “Out of sight, out of mind” category along with the boxes of old clothes and the old TV in the attic. But unlike things that have outlived their usefulness, the furnace is the heart and lungs of your house and should be treated with respect.
Maintaining your furnace is critical to maximizing its efficiency and longevity. Unfortunately, certain unhealthy habits can result in premature furnace replacement and excessive repair expenditures. Recognizing and avoiding these activities will help you extend the life of your heating system while keeping your house comfortable and safe.
Neglecting annual furnace inspections is a common mistake that can result in undetected issues. Scheduling professional maintenance allows a technician to:
– Identify and fix small problems, such as faulty pumps, clogged drain lines, or worn electrical connections, before they escalate.
– Optimize the system’s energy efficiency for better performance.
Regular maintenance ensures your furnace operates safely and minimizes the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
A clogged air filter can choke your furnace by reducing airflow. This can lead to overheating and cracks in the heat exchanger, increasing the danger of carbon monoxide leakage.
– Dust and debris accumulate in the blower, causing it to malfunction.
– Sensor damage might result in wasted fuel and increased repair expenses.
Replace or clean air filters on a monthly basis during high usage periods to ensure proper airflow and system efficiency. Avoid the other extreme of running your furnace without a filter, which can result in debris buildup and mechanical failure.
Placing objects too close to the furnace might block ventilation and reduce system efficiency.
– Create fire dangers, putting your house and family at danger.
To ensure proper airflow and safety, always keep the space surrounding your furnace free.
Unusual sounds or smells emanating from your furnace may signal underlying problems. These could range from loose components to possible gas leaks. Ignoring these warnings may result in:
– Increased wear and tear.
– Expensive repairs, or possibly complete system failure.
Contact a professional quickly to diagnose and resolve the issue.
Frequent thermostat adjustments or setting it too high can put strain on your furnace, causing it to wear out faster. Instead, use a programmed thermostat to ensure constant temperatures.
– Increase energy economy by setting lower temperatures while you are away or sleeping.
This not only relieves stress on your system, but also lowers your energy bills.
Furnaces require unobstructed airflow to perform properly. Closing vents or obstructing registers can disrupt airflow and increase furnace efficiency.
– Overload the blower motor, causing premature breakdowns.
Keep all vents and registers open and clear to ensure even heating and less load on the system
Delaying repairs for minor furnace issues can lead to:
– Escalation of small problems into major, costly breakdowns.
– Reduced system reliability and efficiency.
Address repairs promptly to prevent long-term damage and ensure your furnace continues to function properly.
DIY furnace repairs might worsen the problem owing to faulty handling, despite their seeming cost-effectiveness.
– void warranties or pose safety risks.
Always choose a skilled HVAC specialist to perform repairs, ensuring they are completed professionally and safely.
Given the many demands on our money, it is not surprising that Toronto residents are sometimes tempted to use a certain furnace service simply because it is cheaper than all the rest. While it is understandable, it is almost always a bad idea to choose a furnace repair service on price alone. There are a number of very good reasons that you should consider paying a little extra for a quality service from a reputable and well-established HVAC company, the most important of which we will examine in this article.
While it would be just as inadvisable to hire the most expensive repair team you find simply because of the rates they charge, below are some very good reasons that you should consider avoiding the cheapest repair teams in your area.
If you come across a company that is substantially cheaper than all the others in your area, there is a good chance that they are cutting corners in order to offer such attractive rates to their customers. Some of these companies may have no liability insurance, which means you would have to pay the repair costs in the event they should inadvertently cause any damage to your property while working on your furnace.
Newly qualified engineers, assuming they are actually qualified, often charge less than their competitors in order to make their services more appealing to local homeowners. While the lower prices they charge may sound like a good deal, you really want an experienced furnace repair engineer working in your home if at all possible. There are many things that can go wrong when repairing heating appliances and only the most experienced technicians will know how to cope with all the problems that may be encountered during the average repair job.
Another way in which cut-price Toronto repair teams save money on operating costs is by not providing their customers with any kind of guarantee for the work that they perform. Given the importance of a properly functioning furnace in the middle of winter, it is not worth foregoing a guarantee just to save yourself a few dollars. In the event that the same fault should occur a few months after it has been repaired, you will have to pay for the work to be carried out again if you do not have any type of guarantee.
Larger companies normally charge a little more for their furnace repair services because they have greater operating costs than their smaller counterparts. However, because they have a larger team of technicians, they are able to provide a better after-sales service, or after-repair service in this case, than their competitors. If you want to make sure that you are not left without any central heating in the event of a mid-winter furnace failure, you should stick to the larger, well-established companies when you are requesting quotes for repair work.
If you’re hearing rattling, clanging, banging, and popping in your walls, chances are it’s not paranormal activity. What it is, in all likelihood, is your HVAC system trying to tell you something. Ignoring these messages could wind up costing you big in the long run so it’s important to understand what the different sounds may mean. The furnace repair pros at Tropic Air, have put together a list of sounds you’re likely to hear and what each one indicates.
A typical HVAC system includes many components that could be generating noise, from the ducts to the blowers to the return grills to the air filter and more. Different components will generate different sounds. Here are the most common noises you’ll hear and their likely cause.
When the galvanized metal of the ductwork heats up, it expands. When it cools down it contracts. During either of these processes, the duct may generate a popping noise: just as a plastic bottle will in a room where the air conditioning has been on for a while.
As ductwork gets older it tends to loosen. As air moves through the system this looseness creates a situation where the ducts are banging up against each other. If you’re hearing a lot of rattling in your ductwork it’s probably time to have the ducts replaced.
A dirty filter on the return side can block the smooth flow of air in the entire system. When this happens there will occasionally be a pressure drop within the system of ducts that creates vibrations and/or shaking.
A squealing or squeaking sound may indicate a frayed or loose belt on the blower. Think of the squealing noise a loose belt on a car makes. It’s the same with blower belts. Call the furnace installation pros at Tropic air to come to take a look.
A loud booming sound is most often generated where the duct trunk meets the furnace plenum. This area endures the largest temperature swings and a booming sound may indicate an issue with the expansion joints or dampers in this area. If that’s the case, a booming sound may result and echo through the entire system.
If you’re lying in bed at night and suddenly hear a distant scratching sound of mysterious origin, it’s probably not ancient residents of the house returning in ghostly form. It’s more likely raccoons, squirrels, mice, or some form of large insect that have taken up residence in your ductwork. Time to call for professional help.
Scraping noises may indicate the blower motor is breathing it’s last. This could result either from age or poor maintenance. But whatever the cause, you’ll need to have the situation checked out thoroughly as soon as possible, especially during the winter months when a system breakdown could have serious consequences.
Keep in mind that you should never attempt furnace repair yourself as the potential to create carbon monoxide leaks is very real and could have catastrophic consequences.
Gas furnaces are technological marvels engineered to keep your home and family warm and snug through the worst possible conditions winter can throw at them. But despite their state-of-the-art construction and the amazing efficiency with which they do their job they are gas furnaces and, as such, the possibility always exists for a gas leak. Gas leaks are no joke and need to be dealt with immediately. Sometimes however it can be difficult to discern if a suspected gas leak is the real thing. In this post, we’ll provide you with some specific furnace repair tips for identifying a real gas leak.
Gas leaks are extremely dangerous yet it can be difficult to determine if you have one or if something else might be going on with your furnace. Here are 5 ways to spot a genuine gas leak before it turns tragic.
If there is inadequate light in the furnace area bring a flashlight and mirror and be prepared to take a close look. Look for cracks in the furnace housing and inspect the gas lines leading into the furnace. Stop every few seconds and be quiet. Do you hear a hissing sound? Is it coming from the pipe fittings or even the pipe itself? If so call the Toronto HVAC company immediately.
One tried and true method for detecting gas leaks is the soap bubble test. Fill a spray bottle with soapy water and then spray the mixture on all the gas valves, fittings, and gas lines leading into the furnace. The soapy mix will begin to bubble if sprayed on an area with a gas leak. Should you see your soap solution begin to bubble up it’s time to call for furnace repair.
Gas leak detectors are an inexpensive way to help ensure the safety of everyone in the house. While they won’t necessarily detect 100% of leaks they’ll detect the vast majority of them and that alone should be enough to help you sleep a little better at night. Detectors should ideally be one part of your leak detection program, not the entire thing. If you’ve discovered what you think is a leak use the detector to confirm it, then call for furnace repair.
Carbon monoxide kills scores of people every year. It’s a byproduct of the combustion process and most of the time it’s vented harmlessly out into space. But sometimes carbon monoxide can leak through tiny cracks in the combustion chamber and, since CO is odorless and colorless, it’s ridiculously tough to detect without help. You should have at least 1 carbon monoxide detector in the basement near the furnace and at least one more on each floor of the house.
If you suspect you may have a gas leak call the pros at Tropic Air. We’ll get someone over straight away to inspect the furnace and if we detect a leak we’ll make sure to affect appropriate furnace repair before we leave your property. Calling professional HVAC techs is the best way to guarantee any potential leak is properly identified and dealt with.
Gas leaks are not to be trifled with. While many homeowners are more than willing to inspect their system themselves it bears repeating that the only way to ensure a gas leak is properly identified and neutralized is to call the professionals.
Caring for your furnace is simple and rewarding. Regular filter changes, unobstructed airflow, and annual professional inspections can go a long way in preventing breakdowns and extending the system’s lifespan.
At Tropic Air, we specialize in comprehensive furnace maintenance for homes across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). With over 30 years of experience, we’re committed to delivering top-notch service, including:
– Same-day emergency repairs for furnaces, air conditioners, and boilers.
– Routine maintenance to keep your HVAC system running efficiently.
– Expert installations for long-term peace of mind.
Don’t leave your home’s comfort to chance—schedule annual furnace maintenance with Tropic Air today. Contact us to learn more about how we can help keep your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient year-round.