5 Signs Your Furnace Needs Help Before the Next Texas Freeze
In Central Texas, we don’t always think about our heating systems — until a sudden cold front rolls through. When the temperature drops in College Station, Bryan, or Houston, your furnace becomes the most important equipment in your home.
The last thing you want is a total system failure in the middle of a winter storm. Identifying the warning signs of a failing unit early can save you from expensive emergency repairs and keep your family safe. At Malek Service Company, we’ve spent over 30 years helping Texans stay comfortable.
Here are the top 5 signs your furnace needs professional help before the next freeze.
1. Unusual Noises Coming from the Vents
While no furnace is completely silent, it should produce a steady, predictable hum. If your unit starts sounding like a construction site, take notice. Listen for:
- Banging or Clunking: Often indicates a loose part or a problem with the blower fan.
- Squealing or Screeching: This usually points to a frayed belt or a motor bearing that needs lubrication.
- Rattling: This could be as simple as a loose cover or as serious as a cracked heat exchanger, which is a major safety hazard.
2. A Sudden Spike in Energy Bills
Have you noticed your monthly utility bill creeping up, even though you haven’t changed your thermostat habits? When a furnace reaches the end of its lifespan or suffers from poor maintenance, it has to work twice as hard to produce the same amount of heat. This inefficiency shows up directly on your bill. A professional tune-up can often restore efficiency, but a persistent spike may mean it’s time for a high-efficiency replacement.
3. Frequent “Short-Cycling”
Does your furnace turn on and off every few minutes? This is known as short-cycling. It prevents your home from ever reaching a consistent temperature and puts immense strain on the system’s components. Short-cycling is often caused by an overheating heat exchanger, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a dangerously clogged air filter.
4. Strange Smells (The “Burning” Factor)
It is common to smell a bit of “burning dust” the very first time you turn your heat on for the season. However, if you smell metallic burning, melting plastic, or — most importantly — rotten eggs, shut the system off immediately.
- Rotten Egg Smell: This is the scent added to natural gas to alert you of a leak.
- Electrical Burning: This indicates wiring issues that could lead to a fire.
5. Uneven Heating Throughout the House
Are you shivering in the bedroom while the living room feels like a sauna? If certain rooms remain cold despite the furnace running, your system is struggling to distribute air. This could be due to ductwork leaks, a failing blower motor, or an undersized unit that simply can’t keep up with the square footage of your home.
Don’t Wait for a Breakdown: The Malek Advantage
If you recognize any of these signs, don’t wait for the system to quit entirely. Proactive maintenance is the key to longevity. At Malek Service Company, we offer:
- Expert Diagnostics: Our technicians are Malek-trained and vetted to find the root cause of the problem.
- Carrier President’s Award Excellence: We provide the highest standard of HVAC service in Texas.
- The Total Protection Plan: Our VIP members get priority scheduling and annual inspections to catch these 5 signs before they become 5-figure problems.
Is your furnace acting up? Visit www.malekservice.com today to schedule your Winter Safety Inspection and keep your home warm all season long.
About Malek Service Company
At Malek Service Company, we’ve proudly met the needs of residential and commercial customers throughout Texas for more than 30 years. As a locally owned and operated business, we’ve built our reputation as an air conditioning, heating, and plumbing company dedicated to making a difference in your life. Our team takes pride in delivering the best customer service from start to finish, and we look forward to earning your business.
