How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When a home furnace experiences issues, it could be inconvenient and even dangerous. But, there are many factors you can look for to make sure that your heating system is operating correctly.
Ask your family, friends, members and colleagues for suggestions of furnace repair companies they have previously worked with. They can provide valuable information about the company’s services and customer service.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to do an inspection in case you’ve noticed that your furnace is operating more than normal, or you’ve noticed strange noises. If you haven’t replaced your filter for some time, it may be blocked, causing airflow problems, which can cause the system to overwork itself. This can lead to high energy bills and even damage the unit itself if left unchecked.
Change your filter is a simple task that will help maintain the health of your air within your home, cut down on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s a good idea, on average, to change your filter each month and ensure that it’s the correct size for the unit you have. The dimensions for your furnace are printed on the outside of your filter. simply take it off to get a precise reading. Keep an extra furnace filter on hand so that you can change it when yours becomes dirty.
Before calling for a professional, you should look over your filters to see whether they’re of the correct size and to ensure they’re clean. If you see a lot of dust on your furniture or other surfaces it’s a sign the filter isn’t performing its job correctly.
Also, ensure that the bottom door of your furnace is secured over the frame and that the safety switch is switched on. If not, the system will not work and you may encounter odd symptoms, like an overheated unit or the fan cycling to cool air instead of heating it up.
The age of your furnace could be another factor. An older system is likely to need repairs, and will run inefficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings will start to wear out. It’s a good idea to contact an experienced professional to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed that you’re raising the thermostat to reach the same amount of heat that you used to or that it takes longer for your home to reach a desired temperature, this could suggest that your air filter is in need of replacing. Filters that are dirty may cause your furnace to become more efficient over time.
If your furnace makes strange noises it has never made before, it is time to seek out repair assistance. Scraping, squeaking and banging can all indicate serious issues that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is accountable to communicate with your heating and cooling system to ensure that they’re operating properly. This could be a significant problem if your thermostat’s wiring isn’t properly connected or has become disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power supply to the thermostat by using your breakers panel. Next, use a screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover and look at the wiring. Locate the white and red (standard colors for power and heat) wires and ensure that they are securely connected to their respective terminals. Reattach the wires in case they appear loose, and then switch the breaker off.
After you’ve reconnected the wires and turned the switch on, you should be able to determine 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 unable to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case you can determine if your thermostat is defective by tying a piece of paper towel to the wall close to it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on top. Then, you can leave it there for around 20 minutes to verify the readings of both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If the temperature on your thermostat is higher than that of the thermometer, this indicates a problem with the thermostat itself. If the readings are similar the thermostat is probably working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, therefore any issues that hinder them from obtaining the power they require could be dangerous. One time your furnace trips the breaker, it’s a good idea to reset it and check if the problem goes away on its own. If it doesn’t you must take action immediately to fix the issue. This is particularly relevant if the breaker is going off repeatedly, as it indicates an issue that is more serious.
There are a few typical reasons why your circuit breaker could stop working, and the majority of them are relatively easy to fix. One is a dirty air filter, which can stop airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another reason is clogged air ducts that can also hinder airflow. Make sure you change your air filters regularly and that there are no furniture or other objects block air vents.
Make sure your furnace doesn’t share a circuit with high-demand appliances such as power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker keeps being tripped, this is an indication that they’re not being given enough power and must be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may be tripping is a wire that is loose. This could happen when a wire gets hot and creates an electrical surge that can cause the furnace to overheat. This is why it’s essential to look for loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. If you find any, it’s a good idea to call an expert to examine them.
It’s possible that the issue has nothing to do at anything with your furnace instead, your electrical panel needs repair. This is a job that requires 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 can cause drafty rooms as well as extreme temperatures between floors and musty smells. These are all signs that you should upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most frequent issue is leaks, however dirt and debris may also block ductwork and limit airflow. This is especially dangerous in the case of ducts that are near the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Find out the history of work of any repair service before you contact them. You can usually find the information on their website or talk to the service provider when you make an appointment. A company that has years of experience is more likely to have the experience that you require.
A professional furnace technician will examine 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 can also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat when required. In certain instances, the heat exchanger may need to be replaced if it has been damaged or cracked.
The cost of replacing or fixing a heat exchanger 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 it could cause an emission of carbon monoxide that needs immediate attention.
If you notice any unusual or unfamiliar noises from your furnace, you should call a repair specialist. Scraping, squeaking, banging and hissing all signify serious problems that could compromise your heating functionality.
A technician with a good track record will be able detect the issue and schedule your furnace repair near me swiftly. In addition they are likely to offer a warranty on their work to ensure your peace of assurance. If you attempt to fix the problem yourself, you could invalidate your warranty and be liable for any injury or damage that results due to your DIY efforts.
