How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing issues, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. There are a few ways to ensure that your heating system is operating effectively.
Request recommendations from your friends, family and colleagues about furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They may have valuable feedback on the company and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct a quick inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running more than usual, or if you’ve heard unusual sounds. If you haven’t replaced your filter for some time, it may be blocked and causing airflow issues, which can cause the system to overwork itself. This could result in high costs for energy and can even harm the system itself if left unchecked.
It’s simple to change your filter which can help maintain a healthy air quality at home, cut down on energy costs and extend the longevity of your system. It is recommended, on average, to change your filter every month and make sure it is the right size for the unit you have. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the outside of your current filter. Simply take a measurement to get an exact reading. It’s recommended to keep an extra filter on hand to swap it out when yours is dirty.
Check your filters before calling a professional to make sure they are clean and the correct size. If you notice an abundance of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, your filter may not be working properly.
Also, ensure that the door on the bottom of your furnace is secure over the frame, and that the safety switch is switched on. If you don’t do this, the system will not function properly. You might also experience odd symptoms like an overheated furnace, or the fan cycling back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to consider is that the age of your furnace could be an issue. A furnace that is older is likely to need more repairs and operate less efficiently. This is because components like the blower belt and ball bearings 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 are required to turn up the thermostat higher than you previously did to achieve the same heat level or that it takes longer to heat your home, your air filter may need to be replaced. Over time, dirty filters may make your furnace work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making strange noises it hasn’t experienced before, it is time to contact a repair service. 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 that they’re functioning correctly. If your thermostat’s wires are not connected properly or have been disconnected, it could be a sign of a problem. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power to the thermostat using your breaker panel. Remove the thermostat cover with a screwdriver and check the wiring. Locate the red and white (standard colors for heat and power) wires and make sure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. If the wires appear to be loose, reconnect them and switch the breaker off.
You can check the display of your thermostat to determine whether it’s working as intended after you’ve connected the wires and turned on the breaker. If the screen is blank or doesn’t show any data whatsoever it means that your thermostat has lost power and isn’t able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation you can see if your thermostat is not working properly by attaching a piece of paper towel to the wall near it, and then putting an ordinary thermometer on top. After that, leave it in place for about 20 minutes to verify the readings on both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If the temperature on your thermostat is higher than the one on the thermometer, this indicates an issue with the thermostat itself. If the readings are in line your thermostat’s readings, it could be functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, and any problems that prevent them from getting the power they require can be a risk. It’s a great idea to reset your furnace the first time it hits the breaker and see whether it can be fixed. If it’s still occurring, you must fix the issue immediately. This is true, especially when the breaker keeps tripping. It could indicate a larger issue.
There are several common reasons why your circuit breaker could stop working, and the majority of them are simple to fix. One of the most frequent causes is a dirty or dirty filter that can block airflow, causing the system to overheat. Clogged air ducts can also restrict airflow. Make sure that you replace your air filters on a regular basis and that there are no furniture or other objects block air vents.
Make sure your furnace doesn’t share an electrical circuit with appliances that are in high demand such as power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is constantly being tripped, it’s an indication that they are not receiving enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.
A loose wire can also cause your breaker to trip. This could happen when a wire gets hot and creates an electrical surge which can cause the furnace to overheat. This is why it’s important to look for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It’s recommended to get a professional to inspect the panel if you find any.
It’s possible that the issue is not at anything with your furnace instead, your electrical panel needs repair. This is a job that should be handled by an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute conditioned air throughout your home can be prone to leaks, disconnected sections, and other issues that hinder your home’s performance. This can result in drafty rooms, extreme temperatures between floors and musty smells. These are all signs that you need to improve your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most frequent issue with ductwork, however there is also the possibility of dirt and debris buildup which can impede airflow. This is particularly problematic if the ducts sit near the furnace which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Review the work history of any repair service before you contact them. This is typically available on their website or you can ask the repair service provider about their past and expertise when scheduling an appointment. You are more likely to get the knowledge you require if you choose a company with many years of experience.
A professional furnace technician will look over the heat exchanger and all other components of your system for problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to decrease wear. They may also adjust the thermostat or replace the air filter. In some instances, the heat exchanger will require replacement in the event that it is damaged or cracked. damaged.
A damaged heat exchanger is among the most expensive components in your system to fix or replace. It’s an essential part that warms the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or is leaking it could cause carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
Contact a professional If you hear strange or unfamiliar sounds emanating from your furnace. The sounds that your furnace makes such as squeaking and banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could impact the efficiency of heating.
A professional with experience will be able to identify the issue and plan your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. Additionally, they will likely offer a warranty on their work to give you peace of peace of. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you might void your warranty and be held accountable for any damage or injury that occurs as a result of your DIY efforts.