When to Call for Emergency Furnace Repair

Modern, energy-efficient furnaces tend to last longer and require less maintenance. However, your furnace is still a complicated piece of equipment, and even if you have a top-of-the-line model, there are some problem signs you shouldn’t ignore. Keep reading to learn when to call for emergency furnace repair, and make sure to hire Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling the next time your furnace is malfunctioning.

1. our Furnace Is Leaking: A furnace leak may or may not be a sign of an emergency. However, most homeowner’s insurance does not cover water damage due to furnace issues, so it is always better to call a technician ASAP if you have a leak. On top of this, while some furnace leaks merely indicate cosmetic issues, others can be indicative of a more serious problem, like a broken heat exchanger. Cracked heat exchangers can cause acidic condensate to leak from your furnace, and may let gases escape. This is why it is especially important to call for an emergency repair if you’re dealing with a furnace leak and…
2. You Smell Gas Coming from Your Furnace: The smell of gas is perhaps the most immediate reason to call for emergency furnace repair, as the last thing you want to do is expose your property to a gas leak. Whether you’re dealing with a broken heat exchanger, as we talked about above, or a damaged flue, combustion gases pose a risk to your home and everyone in it. Make sure to shut your entire system down and call a technician immediately if you are dealing with this problem.
3. You Hear Loud, Banging Noises Coming from Your Furnace: A banging sound coming from your furnace can indicate several problems. As with leaks, these issues do not always herald an emergency, though some are more serious than others. A banging noise can be from a loose or faulty part within the system. It may also just be the sound of your ducts expanding and contracting. But if your burners are dirty, and gas has built up in the unit, it may cause a delayed ignition, resulting in that banging sound. This sort of “explosion” can crack your heat exchanger, and as we’ve already established, anything related to furnace gases is dangerous, and should be addressed right away.
4. Your Pilot Light Isn’t Blue: The pilot light in your furnace should always be blue. If you see that yours is yellow, it’s a sign something has been disrupted during the combustion process, and that you should call a skilled HVAC technician posthaste.
5. Your Furnace Has Stopped Working Completely: Complete furnace failure is never something to ignore. Not only can it be dangerous if your system shuts down in the middle of winter, but even a furnace that isn’t working can cause gas leaks and other hazards. Don’t wait around if your furnace stops working, and call our pros at Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

To schedule furnace service now, call (515) 393-4526. You can also contact us online.