Is Your Furnace Surviving the Cold? Check with these Steps!

Although OneContact’s HVAC Professionals are the best option for checking your home condition, we have some ways that you can check your furnace on your own. Our Winter Maintenance Checklist has more details on how you can protect the rest of your home too! Always ensure your furnace can survive the cold. 

Sounds

First of all, your furnace should be quiet sounding. Unusual sounds may indicate that your furnace is not working properly. Listen closely for pings, pops, rumbles, and scratches.

Odor

Your furnace should be odorless. It is common for your furnace to smell a bit dusty when you run it for the first time after a while, but other than that, it should not have any distinct smell. If you smell natural gas, which smells like rotten eggs, we recommend everyone leave the property immediately and then call 911. If you smell burning rubber or plastic coming from the furnace, turn it off and call a professional. 

If you live in the Calgary area, OneContact’s phone number is (403) 452-6606. 

Colour

Check the colour of the flame inside the furnace. If it is not blue, and is yellow instead, call a professional to help you out. A yellow flame means that the furnace is not getting enough oxygen and is creating carbon monoxide.

Your furnace should show no signs of wear, rust, soot, or dirt deposits. By checking your filter on a monthly basis and changing it when it is dirty, your utility bill will be lower and the life of your furnace system will be prolonged. 

Temperature

Locate the specified temperature rise for your furnace on a plate inside the blower and test the temperature rise by placing an instant read thermometer in the register closest to the blower compartment. It should be close to what the manufacturer specified. If not, contact your HVAC professional with OneContact at (403) 452-6606.