With a malfunctioned furnace, your health will be at risk when the temperatures start fluctuating downwards to freezing levels. On the other hand, a good furnace will regulate the cold temperatures and make your home comfortable to live in. 

Sadly, your furnace can easily break down without your knowledge simply because you only use it when it is cold. But you can look out for the following signs to know when it is the right time to call in a heating repair service to fix your furnace.  

1. Unusual Smell Coming From Your Furnace

After keeping your furnace for several months without running, it might produce a foul smell when you start it on when the winter sets in. Such a smell could be a result of a gas leak or accumulated dust inside the unit.  

In most cases, the smell will go away after some time. However, the unusual smell might persist for a couple of minutes after turning on your furnace, and this could be a clear indication that your furnace has developed a major problem. So, you should call in a professional HVAC technician to determine the cause of the foul smell and repair your furnace before the problem worsens. 

2. Strange Sounds Coming From Your Furnace

All furnaces make some noise when in their normal operation. But if the sound starts getting weird, like squealing or whistling when you turn on your furnace, then the belt or fan might be spoilt. At the same time, a banging or groaning sound could indicate that some of the internal components might be loose or broken. 

If your furnace produces any of these sounds, hiring a heating repair expert could be the best decision to make. The technician will inspect and repair your furnace to eliminate the strange sounds and restore your system's standard functionality. 

3. Contaminated Air Coming From Your Furnace

When the furnace is running, your unit's condition will determine the quality of the indoor air you inhale. So, you should ensure that it is properly maintained because the air it produces can affect your health. If you don't take care of your furnace, it could emit contaminated air that could be mixed with bacteria, dust and other harmful pollutants. And these contaminants could become the cause of respiratory ailments and allergies in your home.

The best solution to the problem is to replace the filter. However, when you call in an HVAC technician, they will recommend the best solution after inspecting your furnace. 

Life can become unbearable if your furnace breaks down in the middle of the winter. So, it would help if you looked out for the signs above that indicate your furnace is about to break down and call in an HVAC specialist for immediate repairs.