How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing issues, it could be frustrating and even dangerous. There are some steps you can take to ensure that your heating system is operating correctly.
Ask your family, friends, members, and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair firms that they have previously used. They can provide valuable information about the services offered by the company and customer service.
1. Check Your Filters
If you’ve noticed that your furnace has been running more frequently than usual, or you’ve been hearing strange sounds, it might be the time to do a quick inspection. If you haven’t replaced your filter in awhile it could be blocked and causing issues with airflow. This could cause the system to overwork itself. If you don’t examine it, this can cause high costs and even damage to the system.
It’s easy to change your filter which can help maintain an air quality that is healthy at home, reduce your energy costs and extend the longevity of your system. It’s typically a good idea to change your filter every month and ensure it’s the right size for your system. The dimensions for your furnace are printed along one of the edges of the filter you have in place; simply take it off to get a precise reading. You should also keep an extra furnace filter in your bag so you can replace it when yours becomes dirty.
Check your filters before calling an expert to make sure they are clean and the right size. If you see a lot of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, your filter may not be working properly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the door on the bottom is secured to the frame. If you don’t, your furnace will not operate. You may also experience odd symptoms like an overheated unit or the fan turning back to cool air, rather than heating it up.
Another thing to think about is that your furnace’s age could be a factor. A system that is old will likely to need more repairs and perform less efficiently. This is due to parts like the blower belt or ball bearings that wear out. It’s a good idea seek out an experienced professional to determine if it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed that you’re not raising your thermostat to achieve the same amount of heat that you did previously, or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, this could be a sign that your air filter requires replacing. Over time, dirty filters could force your furnace to work harder than it needs to.
If your furnace makes strange noises it hasn’t experienced before, you must call for repair service. Scraping, squeaking, hissing and banging can all indicate serious problems that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your heating and cooling systems to ensure they’re operating properly. If your thermostat’s wires are not connected properly or have become disconnected, this could be a sign of a problem. If you notice that the thermostat is not communicating with your system, first turn off power to the thermostat using your breakers box. Then take a screwdriver take off the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Locate the white and red wires (standard colors for heating and power) and ensure that they’re securely connected to their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reconnect them and turn the breaker off.
After you’ve connected the wires and switched the breaker on, you should be able to see whether your thermostat is functioning correctly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t 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 find out if your thermostat may be faulty by taping a piece of paper towel to the wall close to it, and then putting an ordinary thermometer on top. After that, leave the thermometer in place for around 20 minutes to verify the readings of both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If the temperature on your thermostat reads higher than that of the thermometer, this indicates an issue with the thermostat itself. If the readings are consistent, your thermostat may be working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, so any issue that blocks them from getting the power they require can be dangerous. One time your furnace trips the breaker, it’s recommended to reset it and check if the problem goes away on its own. If it’s still occurring, you must address the issue right away. This is especially relevant if the breaker is tripping repeatedly, as this suggests that there’s an issue that is more serious.
There are a variety of reasons why your circuit breaker may stop working. The majority of them are simple to fix. One of the most frequent causes is a dirty filter that blocks airflow, which causes the system to overheat. Another issue is blocked air ducts, which could also restrict airflow. Make sure you change your air filters frequently and that there are no furniture or other objects block air vents.
It is also advisable to make sure that your furnace isn’t sharing a circuit with other high-demand appliances like power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is constantly being tripped, it’s an indication that they aren’t receiving enough power and must be assigned their own circuit.
A loose wire may cause your breaker’s to trip. It can happen when a wire is hot, and it creates an electric current that can overheat your furnace. This is why it’s important to inspect for loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. If you find any, it’s a good idea to get a professional to take a look at them.
It is possible that the issue may not have anything to do with any time with your furnace, but rather, your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job for an electrician, and it should not be attempted by homeowners without the proper experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute the conditioned air throughout your house can be prone to leaks, disconnected sections, and other problems that can hinder the performance of your home. This is often the cause of drafty rooms, extreme temperature differences between floors, and musty odors. These are all signs that you need to upgrade your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most prevalent issue with ductwork, however there’s also the possibility of debris and dirt buildup which can impede airflow. This is particularly dangerous if your ducts are located near the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Before you call an repair service, be sure you check their past work history. You will usually find the information on their website, or ask the technician when you schedule an appointment. You will be more likely to obtain the expertise you need if you choose a company with a long history of success.
A qualified furnace technician will look over the heat exchanger and all other components of your system for any problems. They will clean and lubricate the moving parts to reduce wear and tear. They may also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some instances the heat exchanger might have to be replaced when it has cracked or damaged.
The cost of replacing or repairing the heat exchanger that’s faulty can be very high. It’s an essential part that heats your home’s air before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks it could cause carbon monoxide gas leak that requires immediate attention.
Get a professional’s help If you notice any odd or strange noises emanating from your furnace. The sounds of your furnace like squeaking or banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could affect its heating capabilities.
A technician with a good track record will be able detect the issue and arrange your furnace repair near me quickly. They will also likely offer a guarantee on their work, thereby giving you peace of peace of. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you could invalidate your warranty and be liable for any injury or damage that occurs because of your DIY efforts.