Furnace issues can be quite worrisome, especially when you don’t understand the problem. However, knowing at least how to tell the difference between a regular furnace issue, and a serious emergency that requires immediate attention, can be exceptionally useful when encountering a real problem. So, below is a list of real, common HVAC problems to help you know exactly when you need to reach out for help from our experienced heating and cooling technicians at AFM Heating & Cooling!

Electrical Issues

Electrical failures and malfunctions have been known to be responsible for as many as 43,000 home fires in a single year, causing over 400 deaths, more than 1,600 injuries, and costing over a billion dollars in property damage. That means, unless you have electrical/furnace repair experience, you should leave any and all suspected electrical concerns to the professionals.

Unusual/Loud Noises

Pings/Pops heard around the house when your heating/cooling system is on are often caused by thermal expansion. As your ductwork heats and cools, it expands and contracts, causing small, yet harmless, noises.
Rattling sounds are often a sign of loose panels that could use a good tightening.
Squealing sounds usually indicate a belt problem. If the belt connecting your motor to the fan slips, or it becomes damaged and needs replacement, the sound will be undeniable.
Grinding sounds usually warrant a call to a technician since it can mean your motor bearings need repair/replacement.

Not sure what kind of noise you’re hearing? When in doubt, call a technician!

Furnace Rapidly Turning On & Off

Rapid cycling is an issue that can be caused by a few different things. Old, dirty air filters is one, which can be corrected simply by replacing them. If that doesn’t work, however, you will likely want to reach out to a professional technician to eliminate any potentially concerning problems with your blower motor and/or belts.

Sulfuric (Rotten Egg) Smell

Any foul or unusual smells in your home, especially coming from your furnace, should be taken extremely seriously. Gas leaks are almost undetectable, and life threatening, so make sure you remove all people and animals from the premises before calling for help. Also, it is very important you:

Do not turn any lights/appliances on or off, as this could cause the gas to ignite;
Do not turn on your stove;
Leave open windows open, or if possible, try to open a few on your way outside;
Do not use any phone, cell phone, or electronic devices inside;
If your vehicle is in the garage, leave it alone – Do not start it or open/close the garage;
Get to a neighbor, or outside, and call for help;
Do not return home until the gas leak has been fixed, or you receive an all clear;
Only turn your gas off if you are certain it’s safe to do so.

No Heat

If your heat turns off suddenly for seemingly no reason, you should first check your thermostat to see what the temperature is set to, or if the batteries are low/dead. If that’s not the problem, try checking your air filter to see if it’s clogged, and/or reset your circuit breaker. If the problem is that your furnace is blowing cold air, you will want to make sure the blower is unobstructed and that there is a visible flashing green light. If the light is red, or there isn’t one at all, the problem may be related to your blower motor, run capacitor, transformer, or furnace control board – in which case you will want a professional diagnosis.

Pilot Light Discoloration

The pilot light on your furnace should be blue. If it isn’t, and it appears yellow instead, there is a good chance you may have a combustion problem that can lead to a dangerous excess in carbon monoxide, which is nearly impossible to detect. So, if your pilot light is any other color than blue, call for help immediately!

Our technicians at AFM Heating & Cooling are always on call thanks to our free 24/7 emergency services – so please, do not hesitate to reach out anytime! Call AFM Heating & Cooling at 734.464.6700 for a free consultation, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, today.