How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
If your furnace in your home experiences issues, it can be frustrating and even dangerous. There are some ways to ensure that your heating system functions effectively.
Request recommendations from your friends, family members and colleagues about furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can give valuable feedback on the company and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to do 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 long, it could be clogged and causing airflow issues, which can cause the system to overwork itself. If you don’t examine it, it could lead to high bills and even damage to the system.
It’s easy to change your filter which will help you maintain an air quality that is healthy at home, reduce your energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s typically a good idea to change your filter each month and ensure it’s the proper size for your system. The dimensions of your furnace on the edge of your current filter. Simply take a measurement to get an exact reading. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra filter on hand to change it out if yours is dirty.
Before contacting an expert, look over your filters to see whether they’re in the right size and to ensure they’re clean. If you notice a lot dust on your furniture or other surfaces It’s a sign the filter isn’t doing its job correctly.
Also, ensure that the safety switch on your furnace is turned on and that the door on the bottom is secured over the frame. If it’s not, the system will not function and you could be experiencing strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit or the fan running to cool the air instead of heating it up.
The age of your furnace could be a factor. An older system is likely to require more repairs and to operate less efficiently. This is because parts like the blower belt and ball bearings start to wear out. Contacting a professional can help you determine the best time to replace your new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you need to raise the thermostat more than you did before in order to reach the same temperature level or that it takes longer to heat your home, the air filter could require replacement. Over time, dirty filters may cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to.
If your furnace is making odd noises it has never made before, it is time to seek out repair assistance. The sounds of squeaking and banging, along with scraping, could indicate serious issues. A technician should be contacted immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your heating and cooling systems to ensure that they’re functioning correctly. This could be a significant issue if the wiring of your thermostat isn’t connected correctly or has become disconnected. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power supply to the thermostat using your circuit breaker panel. Remove the thermostat cover using a screwdriver, and then check the wiring. Find the red and white wires (standard colors for heating and power) and ensure that they’re connected securely to their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reconnect them and switch the breaker off.
You can check the screen 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 does not display any data at all it means that your thermostat has lost power and is not able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation, you can test to see if your thermostat is defective by tying the towel to the wall next to it and then placing an ordinary thermometer on the top. After 20 minutes, test both the household thermometer and thermostat. If the temperature on your thermostat reads higher than that of the thermometer, this indicates that there is a problem with your thermostat itself. If the readings are identical the thermostat is probably working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces depend on electricity to function, therefore any issues that prevent them from getting the power they need could be risky. It’s a great idea to reset your furnace the first time it hits the breaker. See whether it can be fixed. If it persists then you should take care to deal with the issue immediately. This is especially when the breaker keeps running into trouble, since it indicates a larger problem at hand.
There are a variety of reasons why your circuit breaker could stop working. The majority of them are easy to fix. One of the most frequent causes is a dirty or dirty filter that can block airflow, which causes the system to overheat. Filter obstructions in air ducts can restrict airflow. Make sure you change your air filter frequently, and make sure that furniture or other items aren’t blocking air vents.
Check that your furnace doesn’t share the same circuit as high-demand appliances such as power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is constantly being tripped, it’s an indication that they’re not getting enough power and must be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may keep tripping is a wire that is loose. This happens when a wire gets hot, and causes an electric current that could cause your furnace to overheat. It is essential to inspect 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 problem may not have anything to do with all with your furnace, instead, your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job that should be handled by an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute the conditioned air throughout your home can develop leaks, disconnected sections, and other issues that hinder your home’s performance. This often results in drafty rooms, extreme temperature variations between floors, and musty odors. These are all indications that you need to upgrade your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
The most common issue is leaks, but dirt and debris can also clog up ductwork and restrict airflow. This is especially dangerous when your ducts are situated close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Before you call a repair company, make sure to check out their history of work. You can typically find the information on their website or talk to the technician to confirm an appointment. A company that has years of experience is more likely to have the experience that you need.
A professional 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 decrease wear. They can also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some instances the heat exchanger may have to be replaced if it is cracked or damaged.
A damaged heat exchanger is among the most expensive parts in your system to repair or replace. It is a crucial component that is responsible for heating the air in your home prior to it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks, this can cause a carbon monoxide gas leak that requires immediate attention.
Contact a professional If you notice any odd or unfamiliar noises emanating from your furnace. The sounds of your furnace like squeaking or 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 schedule your furnace repair near me swiftly. In addition they are likely to offer the warranty on their work to provide you with peace of peace of. If you try to fix the issue yourself, you could void your warranty and be held accountable for any injury or damage that results due to your DIY efforts.
