How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing problems, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. There are some ways to ensure that your heating system works properly.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family and colleagues on furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They can provide valuable information regarding the company’s services as well as customer service.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to do a quick inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running faster than usual, or if you’ve heard unusual sounds. If you’ve not replaced your filter in a while, it could be blocked and causing airflow issues, which could cause the system to overload itself. This could result in high energy bills, and may even cause damage to the system itself if left unchecked.
It’s simple to change your filter which can help you maintain a healthy air quality at home, reduce your expenses on energy and also extend the life of your system. It’s a good idea, on average, to change your filter once a month and ensure that it’s the correct size for the unit you have. You can find the dimensions of your furnace on one of the edges the filter you have. Simply measure it to get a precise reading. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra filter on hand so you can change it out if yours is dirty.
Check your filters before calling a professional 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 the filter isn’t doing its job properly.
Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the door on the bottom is securely securing the frame. If you don’t, your furnace will not operate. There could be odd symptoms like an overheated unit or the fan reversing back to cool air, rather than heating it up.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the age of your furnace could be an element. An older system is likely to need repairs, and will operate less efficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings will begin to wear down. 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 you’re 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 suggest that your air filter needs replacing. Over time, dirty filters can make your furnace work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making odd noises that it hasn’t heard before, you must call for repair service. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, could indicate serious issues. A technician should be called immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating properly. This could be a major problem if your thermostat’s wiring isn’t connected correctly or has become disconnected. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, switch off the power supply to the thermostat using your circuit breaker panel. Next take a screwdriver remove the thermostat’s cover and examine the wiring. Find the red and white (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 turn the breaker back on.
Once you’ve reattached the wires and switched the switch on then you should be able to determine if your thermostat is working properly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t show any data at all it means that your thermostat has lost its power and isn’t able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case, you can test for a defective thermostat by attaching an untidy towel to the wall next to your thermostat and then placing a regular household thermometer on top of it. Then, you can leave it there for around 20 minutes to check the readings on both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If your thermostat shows a higher temperature than the thermometer, there could be a sign of a problem. If the readings are the same, your thermostat is likely working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces rely on electricity to function, therefore any issue that stops them from receiving the power they require could be risky. One time your furnace trips the breaker, it’s recommended to reset it and check whether the issue disappears by itself. If it doesn’t you must deal with the issue immediately. This is true, especially when the breaker is constantly tripping. This indicates a bigger issue.
There are several common reasons your circuit breaker may stop working, and the majority of them are fairly simple to repair. One is a dirty air filter, which can block airflow and cause the system to overheat. Clogged air ducts can also restrict airflow. Make sure to replace your air filters on a regular basis and that no furniture or other objects block air vents.
Make sure your furnace doesn’t share the same circuit as high-demand appliances such as power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently tripped it’s a sign that there isn’t enough power available and that the appliances should be given their own circuit.
A loose wire may cause your breaker to go off. This could happen when the wire is hot and creates an electrical surge which can cause the furnace to overheat. It is essential to inspect your electrical panel frequently for loose wires. If you spot any, it’s a good idea to contact an expert to take a look at the wires.
It is possible that the problem is not at any time with your furnace, instead, your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a task that should be left to an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, broken sections and other issues can hinder the efficiency of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms as well as extreme temperatures between floors and musty odors. These are all indications that you should upgrade your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most frequent issue with ductwork. However, there’s also the possibility of dirt and debris accumulation which can impede airflow. This can be especially difficult if the ducts are near to the furnace which increases the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before you call a repair company, make sure you look up their past work history. It is typically accessible on their website or you can ask the repair service provider about their history and experience when scheduling an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you need.
A qualified furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger as well as all other components of your system to determine if there are any issues. They will clean and lubricate moving components to reduce wear and tear. They may also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some cases the heat exchanger might require replacement when it has cracked or damaged.
The cost of replacing or repairing an exchanger for heat 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 has a crack or leaks it could cause a carbon monoxide gas leak that requires immediate attention.
Call a professional If you hear strange or strange sounds emanating from your furnace. The sounds coming from your furnace such as squeaking and banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could affect the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A technician with a good reputation is able to spot the problem and plan your furnace repair near me fast. They’ll also likely offer a guarantee on their work, giving you peace of mind. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you could invalidate your warranty and be liable for any harm or injury that occurs because of your DIY efforts.