The temperature begins to drop this time of the year, and you’ll want your heating system working for the holidays. Your heat doing nothing after turning it on could mean you have a problem with your system. There are other signs of needing a furnace repair before the holidays to look out for.

1. A Dusty Home

The buildup of excess dust in your home could be from a dirty HVAC system. Your dirty ductwork can carry debris throughout your home in the air. A dirty system can increase the stress of your furnace, increase your energy bills, and lower the indoor air quality of your home.

2. Pilot Light Isn’t Blue

A gas furnace should constantly burn blue because of the correct gas/air ratio. Check your pilot light periodically to make sure everything is working correctly. A pilot light that’s yellow or orange means the mixture is off and needs our technicians to inspect it before the holidays.

3. Weird Smells

It’s normal to smell burning when first turning your furnace on in the fall because of the dust from sitting. Other weird smells before the holiday call for an inspection from our technicians. Don’t ignore an odd odor that could be the smell of gas or burning electrical parts.

4. Increasing Heating Bills

The stress of your heating system will increase your energy bills when there’s an issue. An easy way to check for problems is to keep track of any weird activity on your heating bills. Large spikes in energy use without a change in your heating usually mean you have an issue with your furnace.

5. Air From Vents Is Cold

One warning sign for your furnace before the holidays is cooler or weaker air from your vents. Your air duct could have a block, but the issue could also be a mechanical issue. Annual maintenance for this time of year helps keep your heating system running well for the cold months.

6. HVAC Unit Shutting Off Randomly

Your heating system is key to the comfort of your home during the holidays, but your furnace can wear down. There are a few reasons your furnace shuts down before it finishes heating your home. An issue with your pilot light or carbon monoxide detector can shut your system off.

7. Weird Sounds

You may hear a sound here and there when your furnace is running, but it’s usually quiet. Sounds such as rattling, grinding, and squealing could be signs of issues in your unit. Some sounds could be the expanding of your ducts, but a squealing may be a failing belt or fan.

The holidays are a hectic time of the year, and you don’t need furnace issues on top of the holiday stress. Get a furnace inspection in the fall before the holiday season begins to keep everything running. If you need furnace repairbefore the holidays in Macomb and Oakland Counties, Michigan, call us at North Wind Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc to schedule a service estimate.