How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
If your furnace in your home experiences issues, it can be a hassle and even risky. There are a few ways to make sure that your heating system is operating properly.
Ask for referrals from friends, family and colleagues about furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can provide valuable feedback about the business and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct a quick inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is operating more than usual, or if you’ve noticed strange noises. If you haven’t changed your filter for a while it could be blocked and causing issues with airflow. This could cause the system to overwork itself. This could lead to higher costs for energy and can even harm the unit itself if left unchecked.
Change your filter is a simple task that can help maintain healthy air quality within your home, cut down on energy costs and prolong the lifespan of your system. It’s typically a good idea to change your filter monthly and ensure it’s the correct size for your system. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the outside of your current filter. Simply take a measurement to get a precise reading. It’s recommended to keep a spare filter on hand to switch it out if the one you have is dirty.
Before calling for an expert, look over your filters to see whether they’re in the right size and also to make sure they’re clean. If you notice an abundance of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, your filter might not be functioning correctly.
Also, be sure the bottom door of your furnace is secured over the frame and the safety switch is on. If you don’t, the system will not function properly. There could be strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit, or the fan cycling back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to think about is that your furnace’s age could be an element. A system that is old will likely to need more repairs and operate less efficiently. This is due to parts like the blower belt or ball bearings aging out. It’s a good idea to consult a professional with experience to determine if it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed you’re increasing your thermostat to achieve the same amount of heat as you did previously or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, it could indicate that your air filter needs replacing. Filters that are dirty may cause your furnace to perform more efficiently over time.
If your furnace makes strange noises it has never made before, you should also contact a repair service. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, could indicate serious problems. A technician should be called immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your heating and cooling systems to ensure that they’re functioning properly. This could be a serious issue if the wiring of your thermostat is not connected properly or has been disconnected. If you notice the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, turn off the power supply to the thermostat by using your breaker panel. Then, use a screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover and look at the wiring. Find the red and white (standard colors for power and heat) wires and ensure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. If the wires appear to be loose, reattach them and switch the breaker back on.
After you’ve connected the wires and switched the breaker on, you should be able to see whether your thermostat is operating properly by looking at its screen. If the screen is blank or does not display any information, this indicates that your thermostat has lost power and is in a position of not being able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case, you can test to see if your thermostat is defective by tying an old towel to the wall next to it and then placing an ordinary household thermometer on the top. After 20 minutes, you can check both the household thermometer and thermostat. If your thermostat is showing more heat than the thermometer, it could be a sign of a problem. If the readings are similar the thermostat is probably functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces depend on electricity to function, so any issues that prevent them from receiving the power they require can be risky. When your furnace goes off the breaker it is recommended to reset it and see if the problem goes away by itself. If it’s still occurring, you must fix the issue immediately. This is particularly true if the breaker trips repeatedly. This indicates a bigger problem.
There are several common reasons that your circuit breaker might stop working. Most of them are easy to repair. One of them is a dirty air filter, which can block airflow and cause the system to overheat. Air ducts that are blocked can limit airflow. Make sure you change your air filter on a regular basis, and make sure that furniture or other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
Check that your furnace doesn’t share a circuit with high-demand appliances like power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently tripped it’s an indication that there is not enough power available and that they should be provided with their own circuit.
A loose wire could cause your breaker to trip. It can happen when a wire gets hot, and it creates a surge of electricity which can cause the furnace to overheat. This is the reason it’s crucial to look for loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. If you discover any issues, it’s best to get a professional to inspect the wires.
Sometimes, the issue has nothing to be related to your furnace in any way It could be that your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job for an electrician, and it should not be attempted by home owners without the proper experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, disconnected sections and other issues can impede the performance of your home. This is often the cause of drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors, and musty odors. These are all clues that you should upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most frequent issue is leaks, but dirt and debris may also block ductwork and limit airflow. This is especially dangerous if your ducts are located close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Review the work history of any repair service before you call them. You will usually find this information on their website or talk to the service provider when you make an appointment. You will be more likely to obtain the experience you need when you select a company with many years of experience.
A qualified furnace technician will inspect the heat exchanger, as well as other parts of your system for problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to minimize wear. They may also alter the thermostat or replace the air filter. In some instances the heat exchanger may require replacement when it has 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 heats your home’s air before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or is leaking it can lead to an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.
If you notice any unusual or strange sounds from your furnace, you should call a repair specialist. The sounds of your furnace like squeaking or banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could compromise the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A professional with experience can identify the issue and schedule your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. Additionally they are likely to offer the warranty on their work to give you peace of assurance. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you could void your warranty and be held accountable for any damage or injury that occurs because of your DIY efforts.
