How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When a home furnace experiences issues, it can be frustrating and even dangerous. There are a variety of aspects to consider to ensure that your heating system is operating properly.
Request recommendations from your family, friends and colleagues regarding furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can give valuable feedback about the business and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to do an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is operating more than normal, or if you’ve noticed strange sounds. If you haven’t replaced your filter for a while, it may be clogged and causing issues with airflow. This could result in the system overworking itself. If you don’t take the time to check it, it could cause high costs and even damage to the system.
It’s simple to change your filter, which will help you maintain an air quality that is healthy at home, reduce your expenses on energy and also extend the life of your system. It’s a good idea to change your filter once a month, and ensure it’s the correct size for the unit you have. The dimensions of your furnace are located on the outside of your filter. simply take a measurement to get an accurate reading. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra filter in your inventory so you can change it out if yours is dirty.
Make sure to check your filters prior to calling an expert to ensure they’re clean and of the correct size. If you see a lot of dust on your furniture or surfaces, it’s a sign that the filter isn’t performing its job correctly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is switched on and that the bottom door is secured to the frame. If it’s not, the system will not function and you could be experiencing odd symptoms, like an overheated unit or a fan that is cycling to cool air instead of heating it up.
Another thing to take into consideration is that your furnace’s age could be an issue. An older furnace will require more repairs and run less efficiently. This is due to parts like the blower belt or ball bearings wearing out. It’s recommended to consult a professional with experience to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed you’re increasing your thermostat to achieve the same level of heat that you used to, or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, this could indicate that your air filter needs replacing. Over time, dirty filters can make your furnace perform more than it should.
If your furnace is making strange noises that it hasn’t made before, this is also a sign that you should call for repair services. Scraping, squeaking, hissing and banging could be indicators of serious problems that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your heating and cooling system to ensure that they are operating properly. This could be a significant problem if the wiring on your thermostat isn’t connected correctly or has become disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, first turn off power to the thermostat with your breakers box. Then take a screwdriver take off the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Find the red and white (standard colors for heat and power) 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 whether it’s working as intended after you’ve connected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank, or does not show any information at all, your thermostat has lost power and is unable communicate with your heater.
If this is the case, you can test to find out if your thermostat may be defective by tying the towel to the wall next to it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on the top. After 20 minutes, check both the household thermometer and thermostat. If your thermostat shows a higher temperature than the thermometer, there could be a sign of a problem. If the readings are identical, your thermostat is likely functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, therefore any issues that hinder them from getting the power they require can be dangerous. When your furnace goes off the breaker it’s a good idea to reset it and see if the problem goes away on its own. If it persists, you should take action immediately to fix the issue. This is particularly true when the breaker is constantly tripping. This indicates a bigger problem.
There are a few typical reasons that your circuit breaker might be triggered, and the majority of them are relatively easy to repair. One reason is a dirty or dirty air filter, which can hinder airflow and cause the system to overheat. Air ducts that are blocked can hinder airflow. Be sure to change your air filter frequently, and make sure that furniture or other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
Check to see if your furnace does not share the same circuit as high-demand appliances like power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently tripped, it is an indication that there isn’t enough power being provided and they need to be provided with their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker might keep tripping is a wire that is loose. It can happen when a wire gets hot and causes an electrical surge that could overheat the furnace. It is crucial to check your electrical panel regularly for loose wires. If you spot any, it’s a good idea to contact an expert to take a look at the wires.
It’s possible that the issue has nothing to do at anything with your furnace but rather, your electrical panel requires repair. This is a job that requires an electrician, and it is not something that should be attempted by homeowners who do not have the right experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, leaking sections, and other problems can limit the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors and odors that are musty. These are all indications that you should 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 especially problematic if the ducts are near to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before you call a repair company, be sure you check their past work history. You can typically find this information on their website or talk to the service provider to confirm an appointment. You are more likely to get the expertise you need if you choose a company that has a long track record.
A qualified furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger and all other parts of your system for any problems. They will clean and lubricate the moving parts to reduce wear and tear. They may also alter the thermostat or change the air filter. In some cases the heat exchanger might need to be replaced when it has been damaged or cracked.
A broken heat exchanger is among the most expensive components in your system to replace or repair. It is an essential component that is responsible for heating the air inside your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has cracked or leaks, it can result in an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.
Contact a professional if you hear any strange or unfamiliar noises emanating from your furnace. The sounds coming from your furnace like squeaking or banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could affect the efficiency of heating.
A technician with a good track record is able to spot the problem and arrange your furnace repair near me swiftly. They may also offer a guarantee on their work, thereby giving you peace of mind. If you try to fix the problem yourself, you could invalidate the warranty and be responsible for any injury or damage that may occur due to your DIY efforts.
