As an HVAC service company, fall is the time of year when we start getting calls about odd heater behavior. After all, itās been several months since most heaters have gone through heavy use, so you might find that yours is doing something that you donāt remember it doing before.
Below, weāve put together some of the most frequently asked questions we get from customers calling in about their homeās heating systems. Yours might be here too!
I thought I smelled something burning when I first turned my heater on. Should I be worried?
Itās relatively normal to smell a burning odor when your first turn on your heater after it hasnāt been used for a long time. Heaters collect a lot of dust, so what youāre smelling is all that dust burning off as the equipment heats up. Dust buildup can weaken your heaterās performance, cause ignition delay issues, and even lead to significant part failures down the line. If youāre smelling dust burning off, itās a good indicator that your heating system needs someĀ preventative maintenance.
When my heater starts up, it makes a boom or popping noise. Does it need a repair?
If your heater makes a boom or popping sound when starting up, something is preventing the gas from igniting right away. Subsequently, the gas has a chance to build up inside your heating equipment, and when it eventually ignites, it explodes. Granted, the explosion is small, but over time, these booms can damage your furnace.
The most likely culprits behind this problem are dirty burners getting in the way of instant ignition. If you donāt know how to clean your furnaceās burners correctly, an HVAC technician can clean them for you. Theyāll also provide your heating system with a thorough inspection to ensure that there isnāt a different underlying problem.
The furnaceās flame looks a bit yellow and orange. Is that bad?
Unfortunately, yes. If the flame is yellow, orange, or red, the flame isnāt getting enough oxygen. When the flame in your furnace doesnāt get enough oxygen, it doesnāt burn as hot or efficiently. This also means that the combustion process will produce more carbon monoxide (CO) than it otherwise would.
A furnaceās flame should burn bright blue. If the tip of the flame is yellow, that is also fine. Yellow and orange flames are a problem typically caused by dirty burners, so again, if you donāt know how to safely clean them yourself, enlist the help of an HVAC professional.
The pilot light keeps going out. Is my heater broken?
Your furnace will need either a repair or some maintenance, but itās extremely unlikely that youāll need a system replacement, so donāt worry! Usually, a pilot light wonāt stay lit because of some kind of issue with your furnaceās thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device. If it doesnāt detect a flame, it cuts off the gas supply coming into your furnace to prevent a dangerous buildup.
If the thermocouple has accumulated a layer of dust or grime, it will have trouble sensing the pilot light flame, so it will shut off the gas, and the light will go out. The thermocouple can also have trouble if it breaks or deforms due to old age.
My heater is making a humming sound that seems louder than usual. Is that normal for an older system?
Humming can occur for numerous reasons, including:
- Loose, vibrating equipment
- Not enough lubrication in the blower motor
- A failing blower motor
- A damaged capacitor
While some furnaces run more quietly than others, if you hear a humming or buzzing sound you donāt recognize, itās best to get your system checked out by a professional. This can prevent a minor problem from becoming a significant and much more expensive one if you catch it early enough.
For reliableĀ heater and furnace repairĀ in Centreville, donāt hesitate to contact Service Specialties:Ā (703) 968-0606.