By late winter, you’ve had time to judge your furnace performance and how it compares to previous years. It’s a good idea to monitor how well the furnace works to stay on top of its efficiency and safety.

Throughout the heating season, pay attention to:

Energy bills

The easiest way to judge how well your heat pump or furnace is running is to take a look at your gas and electric bills for the heating season. If they’re higher than the years before and the weather has been stable, you may have a performance issue. Over time, motors don’t blow as much air or the air filter is clogged. Generally, there’s a reason for rising energy costs that are unrelated to the weather.

Sounds

Gas heating systems make noise, some of which are normal. When you hear a clink or bang with a gas furnace, call your HVAC contractor. It could indicate a problem with the burner or heat exchanger, both of which could be serious.

Condensation

Windows that fog over when your furnace runs frequently indicate a system that needs professional attention immediately. Gas systems generate water vapor as a byproduct of burning gas.

If the furnace isn’t venting properly, the vapor will collect indoors. Besides humidity, it could contain carbon monoxide (CO) and other toxic gases. Shut it off and call Powers Heating & Air for assistance.

Rust and Soot

Just as window condensation is a bad sign, so is rust on the furnace’s parts. Look it over periodically for signs of rust around the burner, flue and housing.

Soot is never a good sign. It indicates that the equipment needs adjusting and cleaning to improve furnace performance.

Registers

Look over the registers periodically throughout your home to look for excessive amounts of dust on them or nearby. Dust or dirt deposits could indicate a ductwork leak, which makes your system work harder to heat your home and lowers your indoor air quality.

Furnace performance often indicates its condition. If you find problems or questionable signs, contact Powers Heating & Air, providing HVAC services for Peachtree City homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.