One of the most common expenses incurred by homeowners is furnace repair. Unfortunately, despite the fact that these expenses are common, many homeowners overlook the indications that their home heating system is in need of repair. Understanding some of the indications that your furnace needs attention may help you to address the problem before you face a complete heating system failure. Here's a look at some of the things that you need to understand about your home's furnace and the signs that it needs repair.

Strange Sounds

One of the most common indications of problems with your home's furnace is unusual sounds coming from the unit. When you hear banging, squealing, squeaking, or rattling noises coming from your furnace, those sounds are not typically part of normal operation. Hearing things of this nature will indicate that there's a malfunction that's in need of attention. These noises can indicate problems with the fuel pump, the motor, the belt system, and more. You'll want to talk with a furnace repair technician to determine the source of the issue. 

Weird Odors

Your furnace shouldn't contribute to the smell in your home. However, if you notice that there's any kind of smell in your house when you run the furnace, that could be an indication that there's a problem. Sometimes, the odor is the result of a leak in the fuel lines, and in other cases, it could be a venting or filtration problem. Any time your furnace emits any kind of odors, you need to be sure that you have a repair technician inspect the system to identify the source of the problem.

Unusual Pilot Light

The pilot light on your furnace should burn consistently and should always be blue. If you find that your furnace pilot light is orange or red, or if it's flickering instead of steady, those are signs that there's a fuel supply issue. Sometimes, it's the result of a fuel valve or safety sensor that's interfering with proper fuel flow, while in other situations it could be an issue in the fuel lines themselves. 

These are some of the most common indications that your home's furnace is malfunctioning. If you see these signs or any other signs of abnormalities in the way that your furnace operates, you should reach out to a furnace repair technician as soon as possible. He or she can help you determine the cause of the issue and repair it.

To learn more information about heating repair, reach out to a professional near you.