No matter where you live in the United States, almost every home relies on a furnace to get them through those cold winter nights. Unfortunately, even a minor issue can turn into a much bigger problem, necessitating a phone call to a residential heating company to bring your furnace back to life.

Fortunately, most problems that ail furnaces are very common, so we put together a list of some of the most common. If you encounter any of them in your home, call an HVAC company to have them looked at right away.

Unit Is Not Turning On

The whole point of having a residential heating system in your home is to provide heat; if it's not working at all, then there's obviously a problem there. It could be something as simple as a circuit breaker that has been flipped off by accident, or it could be a pilot light that is out. Either way, you should let a professional examine and diagnose the issue in case it's something much bigger.

Unit Is Not Blowing Much Hot Air

If your heater is blowing some air but not enough, then it could be a problem with your ductwork. Residential heating systems rely on a complex network of vents and ducts to distribute hot air throughout your home, but if it has a hole or is sized improperly, it could take a lot longer for your rooms to get up to the desired temperature. No matter what the issue is, it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible so you maximize your unit's efficiency.

Unit Is Constantly Running

A unit that is constantly running is not only annoying, but it can be a major drain on your finances, as you'll let excess heat dissipate into the atmosphere before it ever circulates through your home (not to mention the energy cost of the unit running all the time). If this happens, it could be a problem with either your thermostat not sending the right temperature to your furnace or your limit switch malfunctioning, which tells the furnace when the desired temperature is reached.

Unit Is Noisy or Smelly

Furnaces are designed to be invisible, so a furnace that is making a lot of noise or that smells funny needs to be serviced by a residential heating company. Mold can develop in your ductwork, and noise coming from your furnace could mean that a part has broken off and is rattling around inside the unit, which will almost certainly cause damage. Getting it looked at now can help save you from an expensive furnace replacement later.

To learn more, contact a residential heating contractor.