How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be a hassle and even dangerous when a furnace malfunctions. There are a variety of aspects to consider to ensure that your heating system is functioning effectively.
Ask your friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair companies that they have used before. They can give valuable feedback about the company and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to do an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running more than normal, or if you’ve noticed strange noises. If you haven’t changed your filter in awhile and it’s clogged, it could be and causing problems with airflow, which could result in the system overworking itself. If you don’t check it, it could lead to high bills and even damage to the unit.
Change your filter is an easy task that can help maintain the health of your air within your home, cut down on energy bills and increase the lifespan of your system. It is recommended, on average, to change your filter each month and ensure that it’s the right size for your unit. The dimensions for your furnace are located along the edges of your filter. simply take a measurement to get a precise reading. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra filter on hand to change it out if yours is dirty.
Before you call a professional, you should check your filters to see if they’re the right size and also to make sure they’re clean. If you notice a lot dust on your furniture or surfaces, it’s a sign that the filter isn’t performing its job correctly.
Also, ensure that the door on the bottom of your furnace is securely over the frame, and that the safety switch is switched on. If it’s not, the system will not function and you could encounter strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit or a fan that is cycling to cool the air instead of heating it up.
Another thing to consider is that your furnace’s age could be an element. An older furnace will require more maintenance and will operate less effectively. This is because parts like the blower belt and ball bearings will begin to wear down. Contacting a professional can assist you in determining if it’s time for a new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed you’re raising your thermostat to achieve the same amount of heat that you used to or that it takes longer for your home to reach a desired temperature, it could suggest that your air filter requires replacing. Filters that are dirty may cause your furnace to become more efficient over time.
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. Scraping, squeaking and banging can all indicate serious issues that require prompt attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating correctly. If your thermostat’s wires are not properly connected or have become disconnected, this could be a sign of a problem. If you notice the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, switch off the power to the thermostat by using your breaker panel. Next take a screwdriver remove the thermostat’s cover and inspect the wiring. Find the red and white (standard colors for heat and power) wires and ensure that they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reconnect them and turn the breaker back on.
You can examine the screen of your thermostat to determine whether it’s functioning properly after you have 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 case then you can determine if your thermostat is not working properly by attaching the towel to the wall next to it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on the top. After that, leave the thermometer in place for around 20 minutes to verify the readings on both your household thermometer and your thermostat. If the thermostat’s temperature reads higher than that of the thermometer, this indicates a problem with the thermostat itself. If the readings are the same the thermostat is probably functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, so any issue that blocks them from receiving the power they require can be dangerous. One time your furnace trips the breaker it is a good idea to reset it and check whether the issue disappears by itself. If it continues, you should deal with the issue immediately. This is particularly relevant if the breaker is going off repeatedly, as this suggests that there’s a larger problem at hand.
There are a variety of reasons why your circuit breaker could be triggered. Most of them are easy to repair. One of them is a dirty air filter that can hinder airflow and cause the system to overheat. Filter obstructions in air ducts can hinder airflow. Make sure you change your air filter on a regular basis, and make sure that furniture and other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
Make sure your furnace doesn’t share an electrical circuit with appliances that are in high demand like power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently being reset, this is an indication that they aren’t getting enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker might not be working is a loose wire. This could happen when a wire gets hot and causes an electrical surge that could cause the furnace to overheat. This is why it’s essential to check for any loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It is recommended to get a professional to take a look at any loose wires you discover.
It’s possible that the issue is not at all with your furnace, instead, your electrical panel requires repair. This is an occupation for an electrician, and it should not be attempted by homeowners without the right experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute the conditioned air throughout your house may develop leaks, broken sections, and other problems that hinder your home’s performance. This is often the cause of drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors and rooms, and musty odors. These are all indications that you should upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most frequent issue is leaks, but dirt and debris can cause ductwork to become blocked and hinder airflow. This can be especially problematic if the ducts are close to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before calling an repair service, be sure to check out their history of work. You can typically find this information on their website or talk to the service provider when you make an appointment. You are more likely to find the experience you need when you select a company with many years of experience.
A professional furnace technician will inspect the heat exchanger as well as all other parts of your system for any problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to decrease 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.
A faulty heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components of your system to fix or replace. It is an essential part that is responsible for heating the air inside your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or is leaking it can lead to carbon monoxide gas leak that requires immediate attention.
If you hear any unusual or unfamiliar noises from your furnace, you should call a repair specialist. Scraping, squeaking, banging, and hissing all indicate serious issues that could affect the efficiency of your heating system.
A technician with a good reputation is able to spot the problem and plan your furnace repair near me swiftly. Additionally they’ll likely provide the warranty on their work to provide you with peace of assurance. You may void your warranty if you try to fix the problem yourself. You could be held accountable for any damages or injuries that occur as a result.