Having a malfunctioning furnace in winter can be depressing. Thankfully, furnace problems rarely develop overnight. You will notice some signs warning you to seek furnace repairs before the system shuts down completely. If you are a careful homeowner, you will never suffer the cold because of a faulty furnace. Below are signs that your furnace is about to fail. 

1. Water Pools Around the Furnace

It is not normal to have water below or around your furnace. Water pooling is a sign of leaks usually caused by blocked condensate lines. The leaks reduce the system's effectiveness and may eventually lead to failure. 

To identify this problem early, you have to check the area surrounding your furnace regularly. You may also notice gas leaks, which are riskier than water leaks. Calling your HVAC contractor is an excellent idea in both situations. 

2. Furnace Blows Cold Air 

If your furnace is blowing cold air, you should call your HVAC contractor. They may tell you to check your thermostat settings to know whether it has a problem. If not, the contractor should come over for a careful evaluation and repairs.

Many things could cause this problem, including a dirty flame sensor and a faulty thermocouple. You may also experience this problem if your pilot light goes out.

3. The Pilot Light Turns Yellow

If you are always aware of your furnace, you should have noted that natural gas shows a blue color. Some aspects of red and yellow at the edges aren't a bad sign either, but the flame generally should be blue. 

If you notice yellow, green, or red flames, something else is mixing with the natural gas, which is a cause for alarm. A yellow flame may imply you probably have a carbon monoxide leak or more toxic chemicals. Urgent furnace repairs will be necessary.

4. You Experience Inconsistent Heating

If you realize you have some colder rooms than others, it means your furnace is struggling to meet your needs. An HVAC contractor will examine the situation and undertake the necessary repairs.

Your furnace might also be old beyond repair. At this point, you may do some repairs as you plan for a new home furnace installation. This may be expensive, but constantly repairing an old furnace may be costlier. 

Properly maintained furnaces last long, sometimes even beyond their expected lifespan. If the system shows these signs, you should call in your HVAC contractor for furnace repairs.

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