How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be a hassle and even dangerous if the furnace fails to function properly. There are a few things you can do to ensure that your heating system functions correctly.
Ask your friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair firms that they have previously worked with. They can provide valuable feedback on the company and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running faster than usual, or if you’ve heard strange noises. If you haven’t changed your filter in awhile, it may be clogged and causing problems with airflow. This could result in the system overworking itself. This can lead to high energy bills and even damage the system itself if left unchecked.
Change your filter is an easy task that can help maintain the health of your air within your home, cut down on energy costs and prolong the lifespan of your system. It’s typically a good idea to change your filter every month and ensure it’s the proper size for your system. The dimensions of your furnace are printed on the outside of the filter you have in place; simply take it off to get a precise reading. It’s important to keep an extra filter in your inventory to swap it out when yours is dirty.
Before you call an expert, check your filters to see whether they’re of the correct size and also to make sure they’re clean. If you notice a lot dust on your furniture or surfaces, it’s a sign that the filter isn’t performing its job properly.
Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the bottom door is secured to the frame. If not, the system will not work and you may encounter odd symptoms, like an overheated unit or the fan running to cool air instead of heating it up.
The age of your furnace may be a factor. An older furnace will require more maintenance and run less efficiently. This is because components like the blower belt and ball bearings begin to wear down. It’s a good idea contact an experienced professional to determine if it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed that you’re not turning up your thermostat to achieve the same amount of heat that you did previously or that it takes longer for your home to reach a desired temperature, it could suggest that your air filter requires replacing. Over time, dirty filters can make your furnace work harder than it needs to.
If your furnace makes strange noises it has never made before, it is time to call for repair service. Scraping, squeaking and banging can all indicate serious problems 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 operating properly. If your thermostat’s wires have not connected properly or have become disconnected, this could be a problem. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power to the thermostat by using your breaker panel. Next take a screwdriver remove the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Locate the red and white (standard colors for power and heat) wires and ensure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. Reattach the wires if they seem loose, and then switch the breaker off.
After you’ve reconnected the wires and turned the breaker on, you should be able to see whether your thermostat is operating correctly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t display any data, this means that your thermostat has lost power and is unable to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case, you can test for a malfunctioning thermostat by tying a paper towel to the wall near the thermostat, then placing a regular household thermometer on top of it. Then, you can leave the thermometer in place for around 20 minutes to check the temperature readings on both your household thermometer and your thermostat. If your thermostat is showing a higher temperature than the thermometer, it could be a problem. If the readings are the same the thermostat is probably functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces rely on electricity to function, therefore any issues that prevent them from receiving the power they require could be risky. It’s a good idea to reset your furnace the first time it triggers the breaker. See whether it gets resolved. If it continues you must address the problem immediately. This is especially true if the breaker keeps running into trouble, since this indicates that there’s a larger problem at hand.
There are a few typical reasons that your circuit breaker might stop working, and the majority of them are simple to repair. One of the most frequent causes is a dirty or dirty filter that blocks airflow, causing the system to overheat. Another is clogged air ducts that can also restrict airflow. Be sure to change your air filter on a regular basis, 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 keeps tripping frequently, it is an indication that there is not enough power being provided and that the appliances should be provided with their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may keep tripping is a wire that is loose. This could happen when the wire becomes hot and causes an electrical surge that could overheat the furnace. This is why it’s important to look for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It’s recommended to have a professional examine the area if you find any.
It’s possible that the problem may not have anything to do with any time with your furnace, instead, your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job that requires an electrician, and it is not something that should be attempted by home owners without the right experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, broken sections and other problems can limit the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms and floors, extreme temperatures and musty smells. These are all clues that you need to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most common problem is leaks, but dirt and debris may also cause ductwork to become blocked and hinder airflow. This is especially problematic if the ducts sit close to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Before calling a repair company, make sure to check out their work history. You can usually find the information on their website or talk to the repair company when you schedule an appointment. A company with years of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you require.
A skilled furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger and all other parts of your system for any problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to minimize wear. They may also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat if required. In some cases the heat exchanger might need to be replaced when it is cracked or damaged.
A faulty heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components of your system to replace or repair. It is a crucial component that is responsible for heating the air in your home prior to it circulates. If the heat exchanger is damaged or leaking, it can cause the formation of carbon monoxide, which requires immediate attention.
Get a professional’s help if you hear any strange or unfamiliar sounds emanating from your furnace. The sounds of your furnace such as squeaking and banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could affect the efficiency of heating.
A technician with a good track record will be able to identify the issue and plan your furnace repair near me quickly. They will also likely offer a guarantee on their work, giving you peace of peace of. You could void your warranty if you try to fix the problem yourself. You may also be responsible for any damages or injuries that result from.