Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Furnace Repairs’

Yes, Delaying Furnace Repairs Can Be Dangerous

Monday, February 11th, 2019

technician-servicing-furnaceFurnace heating systems are not inherently dangerous, however concerns about the safety of natural gas appliances are common, and ignoring the risk wouldn’t be responsible of us.

First off though, it’s important for us to mention that gas furnaces are the most common type of heating system found throughout the country, and it’s for good reason. They do not have a bad safety record. If they did, they wouldn’t be installed in so many living spaces. The manufacturers of gas-powered heaters are required to design the systems with numerous safety features that meet all sorts of codes. Look for an ENERGY STAR label on your furnace; this notes not only that you have a high efficiency furnace, but one that meets safety standards as well.

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Yes, Neglecting Furnace Repairs Is Dangerous

Monday, February 12th, 2018

Technician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.Generally speaking, gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous. This is an important fact to clear up right away—we don’t want you to feel panic just because you use a furnace for your home heating. Like any other powerful appliance that creates combustion gases, however, a furnace can potentially create health hazards if not maintained regularly and if Puyallup, WA furnace repairs are taken care of right away. If you stay on top of these repairs, you’ll have few worries.

So when can neglecting repairs actually be dangerous? When you ignore the need to fix cracked heat exchangers. This is most likely to happen with an older furnace—we’re talking about 15+ years. This is why we recommend looking into a replacement as soon as you know a furnace is approaching the end of its lifespan. It’s also why we strongly recommend staying on top of your annual maintenance appointments. Tune-ups will help you catch any furnace problems early so you can arrange for repairs or a replacement right away without risking your safety by neglecting repair needs.

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Tips to Keep Your Furnace in Good Shape

Monday, December 4th, 2017

furnaceWinter is here! Okay, well not quite—but with the way our temperatures are dropping it may as well be. In order to fully prepare for the change in the weather, it’s important to schedule services such as heating system maintenance and subsequent Kent, WA furnace repair, if needed. If you haven’t scheduled your maintenance appointment yet, now is the time to do so!

Getting maintenance performed on your furnace before the coldest of the weather arrives will ensure that its ready to do its job to its fullest ability all winter long. When you sign up for our maintenance plan, you can rest assured that your heating system is prepared to do exactly that. This is the best way to keep your furnace in good shape!

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Signs of Furnace Problems

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

Winter is here, and although we may not get as bitterly cold weather as the Midwest or the East Coast, our weather is nothing to scoff at during this season. As such, it’s imperative that you have a fully functional heater to help you and your family stay warm.

When something goes awry with your heater, it can certainly send you into a frenzy. Preventing emergencies like this begins with staying on top of heater maintenance—these should be scheduled once a year for standard systems and twice a year for heat pumps. However, even a system that is well maintained may eventually need a repair. How do you know, however, when it’s time?

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Help! My Furnace Isn’t Working

Monday, October 17th, 2016

As the temperatures begin to drop, this is certainly not a scenario you want to find yourself facing. The sound of silence as you expect your furnace to cycle on “any moment now” is ominous. Of course, this is a sign that something is wrong—but what is it?

There are a variety of reasons that your furnace may refuse to turn on. Some issues you may be able to resolve on your own, quickly. Others, however, will require the professional services of an expert heating technician, such as one of the members of our staff. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of furnace failure.

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How Is Your Furnace Heat Exchanger Holding Up?

Monday, September 26th, 2016

Were you aware that the heat exchanger is the component that allows your furnace to function as a heater? Is yours in good shape? If you haven’t had maintenance done yet to prepare for fall and winter, then you are doing yourself a disservice.

A crack developing along the heat exchanger is a significant safety concern when it comes to a gas furnace. Should you discover you have this issue, you’ll want to call for immediate professional repairs. But why is it so important? Keep reading to learn more.

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Warning Signs of a Broken Furnace: A Guide From Renton

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

How do you know when your furnace in your Renton house is “on the fritz?” There are warning signs of a broken furnace and some are recognizable – but not all. A broken furnace not only deprives your home of heat and comfort, it also can be deadly, too.

Let’s look at some of the warning signs.

Each year, hundreds of people die and many more are injured from the most common household poison: carbon monoxide. This colorless and odorless poisonous gas comes from several sources and the furnace is the most common source of all; more precisely a broken or malfunctioning furnace. Carbon monoxide is a result of incomplete combustion of a fossil fuel, which is when a fuel does not burn correctly or completely. In a furnace, carbon monoxide gas comes from a poorly operating burner or a cracked heat exchanger. A properly tuned and maintained furnace greatly reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Since carbon monoxide gas is colorless and odorless, it can go undetected. It can make people sleepy and create flu-like symptoms. Sometimes a person may fall asleep and never wake up. But there are warning signs. Drowsiness, vomiting, or flu-like symptoms are a warning sign. Regularly scheduled maintenance of your furnace by a qualified heating and cooling professional and installation of carbon monoxide detectors can reduce the risk of falling ill to carbon monoxide gas.

Another warning sign is a higher energy bill. Sometimes you can’t detect a problem right away because, like carbon monoxide, there may be no obvious signs. Higher utility bills can be a sure sign of a furnace that is working too hard and running more than usual. This may be a result of clogged or dirty air vents, or dirty filters. If your monthly bills are higher than those of the previous year, it may not just be because gas prices are higher.

There are other warning signs of a broken furnace, too. The most obvious is the failure of your furnace to bring your home up to the desired thermostat settings or to maintain an even temperature. Cold or uncomfortable houses are sure signs of a broken furnace. The furnace may cycle on or off, causing an uneven or inconsistent flow of heated air. This can be because of a poor blower or a clogged furnace filter. If you don’t feel any moving heated air or detect any unusual odors or smells coming from your heating vents, that’s a sure sign of a broken or malfunctioning furnace.

A broken or cracked gas line can emit odors and can cause a furnace to malfunction, too.

Don’t take a chance of losing heat and comfort this winter. At the first possible warning sign, call your local heating and professional for a heating system tune-up.

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