How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing issues, it can be a hassle and even risky. There are some ways to ensure that your heating system is operating effectively.
Ask for referrals from family, friends and colleagues on furnace repair companies they have used in the past. They can provide valuable details regarding the company’s services as well as customer service.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time for an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is operating more than normal, or if you’ve noticed strange noises. If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, it may be clogged and causing issues with airflow, which can cause the system to overwork itself. This could lead to higher costs for energy and can even harm the unit itself if it is left unchecked.
Change your filter is a simple task that can help maintain healthy air quality within your home, cut down on energy bills and increase the lifespan of your system. It is recommended, on average, to change your filter every month, and ensure it’s the correct size for the unit you have. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the outside of the filter you have. Simply take a measurement to get a precise reading. It is also recommended to keep an extra furnace filter on hand to replace it when yours becomes dirty.
Before calling for a professional, you should look over your filters to see whether they’re in the right size and to ensure they’re clean. If you notice a lot dust on your furniture or surfaces It’s a sign the filter isn’t doing its job properly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is turned on and that the bottom door is securely securing the frame. If you don’t, your furnace won’t function. You might also experience some unusual symptoms such as an overheated unit, or the fan turning back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the age of your furnace could be an element. An older system will require more repairs and will run less effectively. This is due to parts like the blower belt or ball bearings wearing out. A professional can help you determine if it’s time for a new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you are required to turn up the thermostat more than you used to for the same heat level or that it takes longer to warm your home, your air filter may require replacement. Over time, dirty filters could force your furnace to work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making strange noises that you haven’t heard before, this is also a sign that you should contact a repair service. The sound of squeaking or banging, and even scraping, can indicate serious problems. A technician should be immediately contacted.
Your thermostat has the responsibility to communicate with your heating and cooling system to ensure that they are operating properly. If your thermostat’s wires are not properly connected or have become disconnected, there could be a cause for concern. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat by using your breakers panel. Then you can use a screwdriver to remove the thermostat cover and look at the wiring. Locate the white and red (standard colors for power and heat) wires and ensure they are securely connected to their respective terminals. Reattach the wires if they seem loose, and then turn off the breaker.
You can check the display of your thermostat to determine whether it’s functioning properly after you’ve reconnected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank or doesn’t display any data, this means that your thermostat has lost power and is unable to communicate with your heater.
If this is the scenario, you can check for a defective thermostat by tying an old towel to the wall next to your thermostat and then placing a standard thermometer from your household on top of it. Then, you can leave the thermometer in place for around 20 minutes to examine the readings on your thermometer for your home and your thermostat. If your thermostat shows an increase in temperature than the thermometer, there could be a problem. If the readings are identical, your thermostat is likely functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, therefore any issue that blocks them from receiving the power they require could be a risk. It’s a great idea to reset your furnace the first time it trips the breaker and see whether it gets resolved. If it doesn’t then you should take care to address the problem immediately. This is particularly true if the breaker keeps tripping repeatedly, as this suggests that there’s an issue that is more serious.
There are several common reasons your circuit breaker may trip, and most of them are fairly simple to repair. One of the most frequent reasons is a dirty filter that blocks airflow, causing the system to overheat. Clogged air ducts can also restrict airflow. Make sure you change your air filter frequently, and make sure that furniture and other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
It is also advisable to ensure whether your furnace isn’t sharing circuits with other high-demand appliances, such as the power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker keeps tripping frequently it’s a sign that there is not enough power and that the appliances should be given their own circuit.
A loose wire can also cause your breaker to trip. It can happen when a wire gets hot and creates an electrical surge that could cause your furnace to overheat. This is why it’s important to inspect for loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. It is recommended to get a professional to inspect the panel for any.
Sometimes the issue may not have anything to do with your furnace in any way and could be that your electrical panel requires a repair. This is a job that requires an electrician, and it is not something that should be attempted by homeowners who do not have having the necessary experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, leaking sections, and other issues can hinder the efficiency of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms as well as extreme temperatures between floors, and musty smells. These are all indications that you need to improve your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most frequent problem with ductwork, but there’s also the chance of dirt and debris buildup that can block airflow. This can be especially problematic if the ducts sit near the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before calling an repair service, be sure you look up their past work history. This is typically available on their website or you can ask the repair service provider about their background and experience when you schedule an appointment. You are more likely to find the experience you need when you select a company with many years of experience.
A skilled technician will inspect the heat exchanger, as well as the other components of your furnace for problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to reduce wear. They may also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat as required. In certain instances, the heat exchanger could need to be replaced when it is cracked or damaged.
The cost of replacing or fixing an exchanger for heat that is defective can be extremely costly. It’s an essential part that is responsible for heating the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks, this can cause carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
If you hear any unusual or strange sounds from your furnace, it’s time to contact a repair technician. The sounds of your furnace such as squeaking and banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could impact the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A technician with a good reputation is able to spot the problem and schedule your furnace repair near me quickly. They’ll also likely offer a guarantee on their work, giving you peace of peace of. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you could void the warranty and be responsible for any injury or damage that occurs due to your DIY efforts.