How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be very frustrating and even dangerous if your furnace is not working properly. There are some ways to make sure that your heating system is operating properly.
Ask for referrals from friends, family members and colleagues about furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They can give you valuable information about the company’s services and customer experience.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running faster than normal, or if you’ve heard unusual sounds. If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, it could be blocked and causing airflow issues, which could cause the system to overload itself. If you don’t examine it, this could cause high costs and even damage to the unit.
Change your filter is an easy task that can ensure healthy air quality in your home, help save on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s a good idea to change your filter once a month and make sure it is the right size for the unit you have. The dimensions for your furnace are printed along one of the edges of the filter you have in place; simply take a measurement to get a precise reading. You should also keep a spare furnace filter handy to replace it if yours gets dirty.
Check your filters before calling an expert to make sure they’re clean and of the correct size. If you notice a lot dust on your furniture or other surfaces, it’s a sign that the filter isn’t doing its job correctly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is turned on and that the bottom door is securely securing the frame. If not, the furnace will not function and you could experience some odd symptoms, like an overheated unit or the fan running to cool the air instead of heating it up.
The condition of your furnace could also be a factor. A furnace that is older is likely to require more repairs and to run inefficiently. This is due to parts such as the blower belt or ball bearings that wear out. It’s a good idea consult a professional with experience to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you need to crank up the thermostat higher than you used to for the same heat level or that it takes longer to warm your home, your air filter could require replacement. Over time, dirty filters could cause your furnace to work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making unusual noises that it hasn’t made before, this is also an indication to seek out repair services. Scraping, squeaking, hissing and banging can all indicate 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 significant problem if the wiring on your thermostat isn’t properly connected or has become disconnected. If you notice the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power to the thermostat using your breakers panel. Then you can use a screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Locate the white and red (standard colors for power and heat) wires and ensure that they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. If the wires appear to be loose, reattach them and switch the breaker back on.
You can check the display of your thermostat to see if it is working properly after you’ve reconnected the wires and turned on the breaker. If the screen is blank or doesn’t 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 test to find out if your thermostat may be defective by tying an old towel to the wall near it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on top. After that, leave it there for around 20 minutes to verify the readings on your thermometer for your home and your thermostat. If your thermostat is showing a higher temperature than the thermometer, there could be a sign of a problem. If the readings are in line your thermostat’s readings, it could be functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces require electricity to function, therefore any issue that stops them from receiving the power they require can be dangerous. If your furnace is able to trip the breaker, it’s recommended to reset it and see if the problem goes away on its own. However, if it keeps happening, you need to fix the issue immediately. This is especially true when the breaker keeps tripping. This indicates a bigger issue.
There are many common reasons that your circuit breaker could be triggered. Most of them are simple to repair. One is a dirty air filter that can block airflow and cause the system to overheat. Filter obstructions in air ducts can limit airflow. Make sure you replace your air filters on a regular basis and that there are no furniture or other objects block air vents.
Check that your furnace doesn’t share an electrical circuit with appliances that are in high demand like power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker keeps being tripped, it’s an indication that they are not getting enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason why your breaker could be tripping is a wire that is loose. This can happen when a wire is hot, and causes an electric current that could cause your furnace to overheat. This is the reason it’s crucial to check for any loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It’s best to have a professional take a look at any loose wires you discover.
It is possible that the issue may not have anything to do with any time with your furnace, it is more likely that your electrical panel requires repair. This is a task which 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 limit your home’s performance. This can result in 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.
Leaks are the most frequent issue with ductwork, however there’s also the chance of dirt and debris accumulation that restricts airflow. This is especially problematic if the ducts are near to the furnace which increases the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Find out the history of work of any repair service before you contact them. It is typically accessible on their website or you can ask the repair service provider about their past and expertise when you schedule an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you need.
A professional furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger, as well as other components of your system for any 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.
A broken heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components of your system to replace or repair. It’s an essential component that is responsible for heating the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is damaged or leaks, it can cause the formation of carbon monoxide, which requires immediate attention.
If you notice any unusual or strange sounds from your furnace, you should contact a repair expert. The sounds that your furnace makes such as squeaking and banging could indicate a serious problem that could compromise the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A technician with a good track record is able to spot the issue and schedule your furnace repair near me quickly. In addition they’ll likely provide a warranty on their work to give you peace of assurance. It is possible to void the warranty if you try to fix the problem yourself. You may be held accountable for any damages or injuries that result from.