Winter in Alberta puts your furnace to the test, as it works to keep your home warm and comfortable. After months of constant use, even the most reliable systems need regular care to perform at their highest level. One of the most valuable skills a homeowner can have is understanding what their furnace is telling them through its sounds, signals, and timing.
Below, let’s explore some of the clear warning signs that it’s time to schedule your furnace tune-up in Edmonton. Dive in below with us at Weiss-Johnson, your local HVAC service provider.
#1: Uneven Heating Throughout The Home
It’s a common misconception that spotty heating is the result of an undersized heater. While that can sometimes be the case, it’s more often than not due to a furnace or ductwork issue—especially when this issue springs up seemingly overnight. Some of the most common reasons include blocked vents, leaky ductwork, or a dirty air filter. But additionally, it can also be caused by other internal issues within the furnace itself.
That being said, there’s no way to tell for sure without the expertise of a technician. They’ll be able to inspect your furnace and determine the cause of your home’s spotty heating.
#2: Frequently Turning Off & On
If your furnace has a new habit of turning off and on frequently and seemingly at random, it’s likely experiencing short-cycling. Short-cycling occurs when, for one reason or another, your furnace is unable to complete a full heating cycle. In most furnaces, the standard heating cycle lasts anywhere from 7 minutes to 20 minutes (during very cold weather). In the winter, it’s common for furnaces to cycle several times to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
If your furnace is short-cycling, however, it means that something is preventing it from completing the cycle. In some cases, short cycling is a clear indication that a furnace tune-up in Edmonton may be needed. If left unchecked, frequent short cycling results in wasted energy (and, in turn, higher bills) as the furnace works to offset these incomplete cycles.
#3: Higher-Than-Normal Utility Bills
It’s common for many issues to go unnoticed by homeowners for weeks, months, or even longer. That said, one of the most obvious and unignorable indicators that something is wrong is sky-high utility bills. In many cases, this is a sign that one or more issues are forcing your furnace to work harder than necessary.
Often, spiking energy bills are caused by easily remedied issues like an air filter overdue for replacement or incorrect thermostat settings. Other situations may point to more extensive problems, such as leaky ductwork or an outdated furnace in older homes.
#4: It’s Been Over a Year
Above all, the number one sign that it’s time for a furnace tune-up in Edmonton is time. For most homes, a good rule of thumb is to schedule a furnace tune-up once a year, preferably before periods of heavy usage. For most homeowners, this is sometime in the fall or early winter.
Some furnace issues have noticeable signs, such as knocking or odd smells. But others are virtually undetectable until maintenance is performed. In many cases, the only way these ‘hidden’ issues are caught early is with regular, professional maintenance. If you’ve skipped or forgotten about your furnace maintenance this year, a licensed HVAC technician can get things back on track.
Stay Toasty This Winter with Weiss-Johnson
Give your furnace the care it deserves when it needs it most. This winter, ensure that you’re completing your winter HVAC checklist. If you’re still noticing any of the above issues or it’s been over a year since your last furnace tune-up in Edmonton, Weiss-Johnson is here to help.
Contact us today to book your furnace tune-up and experience peace of mind all winter long. See for yourself why we’re Edmonton’s number one HVAC company, chosen by homeowners for generations since 1977.
