Signs You Need a Furnace Tune-Up

We’re well into fall, but finally feeling a little cool air. You know what that means; it’s time for a furnace tune-up. There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long, chilly day only to have no heat. At Service Champions, we recommend scheduling a tune-up at the start or just before furnace season. This will ensure your system is ready for the season ahead. If it’s been awhile since you last had a tune-up and are firing up your heater anyway, here are the top signs you need a furnace tune-up.

Your Home Temperature No Longer Feels Comfortable

After a season of lying dormant, it can take some time to get used to your furnace again. When you kick it on for the first time in a season, pay attention to how and where it heats your home. A surefire sign you need a tune-up is if your home isn’t heating as it should, or heat isn’t evenly distributed throughout your home.

You Are Hearing Strange Sounds

It’s normal for your furnace to make some sounds; especially when you start it up after summer. Oftentimes, your furnace will make a small pop or click when it turns on for the first time. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about. The cause for concern comes when you hear prolonged scraping, grinding, rattling, or squeaking. These noises are a sign you need a furnace tune-up.

The Furnace is Short Cycling

Short cycling is when your furnace constantly turns on and off, and never allows the system to run through a full cycle. Your indoor temperature is controlled by your thermostat, think of it as the tv remote for your entire HVAC system. If your furnace is unable to reach your desired temperature, it will short cycle in an attempt to heat the home. If your system is never allowed to fully take a break, it’s taking on unnecessary strain which can lead to extensive repairs or premature system failure.

There’s an Unexpected Spike in Utility Bills

Almost 30% of your annual energy bill goes to heating, according to energy star. Because of this, it’s normal to see a small increase in your utility bills during furnace season. If you see a huge jump, then it’s time to call an HVAC technician. As we mentioned above, certain things can make your system work twice as hard to produce the same amount of treated air. This extra effort will be reflected on your utility bill. When our trained HVAC technicians conduct a tune-up, they meticulously check your entire system, making sure everything is working at peak efficiency. If part of your system is not working, they will let you know any next steps.

Yellow Pilot Light

The pilot light in your furnace should always be a bright blue color. If you do a quick visual inspection and see your pilot light is yellow or orange, that’s a sure sign your furnace needs a tune-up. The pilot light will only be yellow or orange if it is burning inefficiently or you have a carbon monoxide leak.

Still Need to Schedule a Tune-Up, Call Service Champions Today

After a being inactive for an entire season, it is so important to have a professional HVAC technician take a look at your system to ensure everything is at the top of its game. When it comes to expertly trained technicians, you can’t beat Service Champions. We are the only Diamond Certified plumbing and HVAC company serving parts of Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. To meet your expert, call the number at the top of the screen, or click here to schedule an appointment online.