Odors Coming from Your Furnace
While it’s not uncommon for your furnace to emit an odor when you first fire it up for the season, an odor of fuel that’s persistent could be a sign that there’s trouble. You could have a leak, which is a fire hazard, and it should be looked at immediately.

Furnace Fails to Turn on
If you have an older furnace, you may find it difficult getting it started when you need it. Or, maybe it turns on but won’t run as long as it should. Either way, these are signs that there’s a problem, which could be as simple as a bad thermostat, or as complex as an entire furnace replacement. Before it gets too cold, call in a furnace contractor for an evaluation.

Poor Heating
If your furnace is running and the house is still cold, it’s a sign that the system isn’t working as it should. On the flip side, if the heat is too high despite turning down the thermostat, that’s an issue as well. If you experience inadequate heat or heat that’s too high, it could be a problem with your ducts either being clogged or leaking. Either way, it’s best to call in a professional furnace contractor to take a look and ensure you remain safe and warm all winter.

Carbon Monoxide
If you’re using any kind of gas heating in your home, then it’s essential that you use a carbon monoxide detector, and most modern gas furnaces come with them pre-installed. If your detector sounds the alarm, open the windows to ventilate the house and immediately call a furnace contractor to look at the system and determine the problem.

Rise in Utility Bills
If your utility usage has been roughly the same year in and year out, then you should know what to expect on your heating bills every month. When there’s a dramatic spike that isn’t caused by a rate increase, it could be a sign that your furnace isn’t operating as it should.