Four Signs You Need a Furnace Repair in Rochester, NY

If your furnace won’t turn on, or suddenly stops working, it’s pretty apparent that it’s time to call for a repair. But, not all the signs of a problem are that obvious.

In this post, we’re looking at four signs you need to call your HVAC company that are a little easier to miss. Some of these are easy to overlook. Others you’ll notice, but may not realize your furnace is to blame.

Either way, you still want to get them checked out before the problem gets worse. And, we’ll clue you into how to avoid many of these problems in the first place.


Meanwhile, if you have any questions or if you need someone to look at your system in Rochester, NY, area, give Airquip a call today. We have an excellent reputation for our service and repairs in Upstate New York, and we’re happy to help keep you warm this winter.

Four Signs It’s Time to Call For a Furnace Repair

1. Weak Airflow Throughout the House
2. Furnace Keeps Turning On and Off
3. Squeals, Clangs, and Other Odd Noises
4. Strange Smells In Your Vents

Weak Airflow Throughout the House

If the furnace is working, but your home still isn’t warm enough, it could be a weak airflow problem. Check your vents when the system is running. Is the pressure coming out of them weaker than normal?

With any luck, this is a simple problem with an inexpensive solution: Your air filter is clogged. When this happens, air can’t pass through the screen.

As a result, it also won’t flow through the ductwork. If you haven’t changed the filter in more than three months, start by doing that. If the problem persists, it could be a problem with your blower wheel or fan belt.

Furnace Keeps Turning On and Off

You can expect your furnace to click on about three times an hour. It warms the house, then shuts off. When the thermostat shows a drop in temperature, it turns the system back on.

However, if you’re noticing it turning on and off way more often, then you have a short-cycling problem. One of two related things is happening. First, the furnace is turning on but reaching the thermostat’s call too quickly. So, it shuts back off right away. But, then, the temperature drops (or never got that warm) and so it turns on and again. Second, something is preventing the heat your system generates from flowing correctly. As a result, it’s backing up into the furnace.

When it gets too hot, it shuts down. If you notice cold air coming through the vents, it’s probably the second problem. At that point, the system is trying to cool itself down.

Try changing the air filter. And, make sure there’s nothing within a foot of every vent. After that, call a professional if the problem persists. 

Squeals, Clangs, and Other Odd Noises

Most people don’t ignore strange noises like squeals and clangs coming from their furnace. But, they may not notice them right away — or figure out where they’re coming from.

Sometimes, the noise occurs intermittently. Other times, they don’t realize it’s the furnace that’s making them.

Therefore, you want to be vigilant — and curious — if you start hearing odd noises for somewhere in the house. If it’s wintertime, there’s a good chance they’re coming from the furnace.

Common causes are broken fan belts. They’ll start slapping around inside the system, banging into other components. Likewise, a squeal is often coming from a blower motor or inducer motor. It’s a sign the part is wearing out.

So, you want to get it repaired before it breaks down. Otherwise, you may have to go without heat for a day or two while someone diagnoses the problem and fixes it. In the winter, when many HVAC companies are busy, it could take longer than usual.

Strange Smells In Your Vents

The biggest smell to watch for is an odor like sulfur or rotten eggs coming through your vents. If your HVAC system is the cause, then it’s likely a sign there’s a gas leak in your house.

If you’re noticing this, leave the house and call your gas company and fire department immediately. A gas leak could very easily cause a fire or explosion. So, every second counts in a situation such as this.

Fortunately, not all odors are as serious. Ironically, an occasional, faint burning smell isn’t great, but it’s usually not a huge problem. Most times, there’s dust in the system that’s blowing around or burning up. You often notice it when you first fire up your system for the season.

Once the dust clears, the odor goes away. However, if something smells like an electrical wire or metal is burning, you’re more likely to have a significant problem. These are signs the system is overheating. You are probably smelling actual wiring or parts inside the furnace starting to burn. If you pick up on this odor, turn off the system and call your HVAC company.

Prevent Costly Breakdowns With a Furnace Tune-up

We’ve taken a long look at a lot of things that can go wrong with your furnace. So, before we end this, let’s talk about avoiding these problems with a tune-up. Just like changing the oil in your car, getting your HVAC system inspected and optimized once or twice a year helps it run better and for a longer time. A tune-up includes:

• Cleaning the system inside and out
• Inspecting for anything broken or worn-out
• Lubricating all moving parts

This way, you’re confident that everything’s in great shape for the long winter to come. With a tune-up, you’re less likely to run into problems we outlined in this article. And it’s never too late to get one! Even if the cold weather has set in, you can still have your furnace serviced. If you’re looking for a tune-up in the Rochester, NY area, give Airquip a call today at (585) 641-3080. Or, if you’re noticing some of those red flags, get in touch before things get any worse.