Chances are you’ll be wanting to turn the heat on as summer wanes and the weather gets cooler. Cool autumn nights are usually the first time the heat is switched on, and it’s a real bummer if there’s an issue with your furnace. What do you do if your furnace isn’t acting as it should, especially when the colder seasons are approaching?

It may be time to seek out furnace repair. Even if your heater isn’t completely broken, and especially even if you don’t think anything is wrong, you may want to get everything looked at just in case. Keep reading for common concerns that prompt people to get an HVAC professional to check things out.

1. A Noisy Furnace is a Bad Sign

Furnaces aren’t meant to be loud, so if yours is making clunky noises, that’s a sure sign that it’s time to seek out furnace repair.

A noisy furnace is likely an indication that it’s working too hard. This could be caused by many things—perhaps a part needs replacing, or it simply needs servicing. Either way, don’t delay seeking repair—take care of the problem before the furnace stops working altogether.

2. Unevenly Heating Your Home

If you live in a multi-level home, like a bilevel or split level, you might notice that while the main level stays warm, the upstairs is too cold. This is also an indication that something isn’t right. Your furnace may need repair, but unfortunately, this is often something that happens with older gas furnaces that simply need to be replaced.

3. Uptick in Utility Bills

While it’s true that the cost of utilities has risen overall, if you’re noticing that your bill has increased beyond your expected rate increase, this can point to an issue with the furnace. If you haven’t changed how often you turn on the heat or your thermostat’s temperature, the furnace is likely using more energy to keep up with demand than it used to.

You can mitigate this with maintenance, cleaning, or another required furnace repair. If this doesn’t solve the problem, though, you may need to replace it.

4. Your Furnace Has Outlived Its Lifespan

Unfortunately, furnaces don’t last forever. The general expected lifespan of a furnace is around ten years, although many people can keep theirs much longer than that. Some furnaces can last several decades.

The other side of this, though, is that the older the furnace is the less energy efficient it becomes. If it is consuming more energy than it should, it may need to be replaced. This can be determined by an HVAC professional, who can assess whether it makes sense to repair or replace.

Don’t Hesitate to Seek Out Furnace Repair

If your furnace is acting up, or you notice your utility bills rapidly increasing, or part of your house remains cold for no reason, don’t hesitate to schedule furnace repair. A professional will work with you to make sure your furnace is functioning properly, and make whatever repairs are necessary so you don’t need to worry about the upcoming cold winter nights.