How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be a hassle and even dangerous when a furnace malfunctions. There are some steps you can take to make sure that your heating system functions effectively.
Ask your family, friends, members and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair companies they have previously worked with. They can give valuable feedback about the company and the services it provides.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running more than normal, or if you’ve heard unusual noises. If you haven’t changed your filter for a while, it could be clogged, causing airflow problems, which can cause the system to work harder than it should. This could result in high energy bills, and may even cause damage to the unit itself if left unchecked.
Changing your filter is a straightforward task that will help maintain healthy air quality in your home, save on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s generally recommended to change your filter every month and make sure it’s the right size for your system. The dimensions for your furnace are located along one of the edges of your current filter; simply take a measurement to get an accurate reading. Keep an extra furnace filter on hand so that you can change it if yours gets dirty.
Check your filters before calling an expert to ensure they’re clean and the correct size. If you notice an abundance of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, the filter might not be functioning correctly.
Also, make sure that the door on the bottom of your furnace is securely over the frame and that the safety switch is turned on. If you don’t, the system will not operate. You may also experience strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit, or the fan reversing back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to think about is the fact that the age of your furnace could be a factor. An older furnace will require more maintenance and will operate less effectively. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings will begin to wear down. It’s a good idea seek out an experienced professional to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you need to raise the thermostat more than you did before in order to reach the same temperature level, or it takes longer to warm your home, your air filter might need to be replaced. Over time, dirty filters can cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to.
If your furnace is making unusual noises that it hasn’t before, this is also a sign that you should call for repair services. Scraping, squeaking, hissing and banging could be indicators of serious issues that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating properly. This could be a serious problem if the wiring on your thermostat is not connected properly or has become disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat is not communicating with your system, first shut off power to the thermostat using your breakers box. Next take a screwdriver take off the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Find the red and white (standard colors for power and heat) wires and make sure they are securely connected to their respective terminals. Reattach the wires in case they appear loose and turn off the breaker.
You can examine the screen of your thermostat to check whether it’s functioning properly after you’ve connected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank, or doesn’t show any information at all the thermostat has lost power and is not able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the scenario, you can check for a malfunctioning thermostat by tying a paper towel to the wall near the thermostat, then placing a regular household thermometer on top of it. After 20 minutes, you can check both the thermometer for your household and thermostat. If your thermostat displays an increase in temperature than the thermometer, it could be a problem. If the readings are in line your thermostat’s readings, it could be functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces depend on electricity to function, so any issues that prevent them from obtaining the power they need could be dangerous. One time your furnace trips the breaker it’s an ideal idea to reset it and see whether the issue disappears on its own. If it persists, you should deal with the issue immediately. This is especially relevant if the breaker is going off repeatedly, as this indicates that there’s an even bigger issue at hand.
There are a few typical reasons why your circuit breaker could be triggered, and the majority of them are fairly simple to fix. One is a dirty air filter, which can stop airflow and cause the system to overheat. Filter obstructions in air ducts can limit airflow. Be sure to change your air filter frequently and ensure that furniture or other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
You may also want to ensure that your furnace isn’t sharing circuits with other appliances that require a lot of power like power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently being reset, this is an indication that they aren’t being given enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may be tripping is a loose wire. It can happen when a wire is hot, and causes an electrical surge which can cause the furnace to overheat. It is essential to inspect your electrical panel on a regular basis for loose wires. If you spot any, it’s a good idea to get a professional to inspect the wires.
Sometimes the issue isn’t to be related to your furnace It could be that your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job that should be left to an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute the conditioned air throughout your home can be prone to leaks, disconnected sections, and other issues that can hinder the performance of your home. This is often the cause of drafty rooms, extreme temperature variations between floors and odors that are musty. These are all signs to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most frequent issue with ductwork, however there’s also the possibility of dirt and debris accumulation which can impede airflow. This is especially problematic if the ducts sit near to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before you call an repair service, be sure to check out their work history. It is typically accessible on their website, or you can ask the service provider about their history and experience when making an appointment. A company with years of experience is more likely to have the knowledge that you require.
A professional furnace technician will look over the heat exchanger as well as all other parts of your system for problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to reduce wear. They may also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat as needed. In certain instances, the heat exchanger might need to be replaced when it has been damaged or cracked.
The cost of replacing or fixing a heat exchanger that is faulty can be very high. It is an essential component that heats the air inside your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks it can lead to carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
Get a professional’s help If you notice any odd or strange sounds emanating from your furnace. Squeaking, scraping, banging, and hissing all indicate serious issues that could affect the efficiency of your heating system.
A technician with a good reputation will be able detect the issue and arrange your furnace repair near me fast. They will also likely offer a guarantee for their work, which gives you peace of peace of. If you attempt to fix the problem yourself, you could invalidate your warranty and be liable for any harm or injury that may occur because of your DIY efforts.
