How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When a home furnace experiences problems, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. There are some steps you can take to make sure that your heating system works effectively.
Ask your friends, family members and colleagues for suggestions of furnace repair companies that they have used before. They can provide 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 operating more than usual, or if you’ve heard unusual sounds. If you haven’t changed your filter in awhile and it’s clogged, it could be and causing issues with airflow. This could result in the system overworking itself. This could result in high costs for energy and can even harm the unit itself if left unchecked.
Change your filter is an easy task that can ensure the health of your air in your home, save on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s generally a good idea to change your filter monthly and ensure it’s the right size for your system. You can find the dimensions of your furnace on one of the edges your current filter. Simply measure it to get a precise reading. It’s important to keep a spare filter on hand so you can switch it out if the one you have is dirty.
Check your filters prior to calling an expert to ensure they are clean and the right size. If you notice lots of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, your filter may not be working properly.
Also, be sure the bottom door of your furnace is secure over the frame, and that the safety switch is on. If you don’t, your furnace will not function properly. You may also experience odd symptoms like an overheated unit or the fan turning back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to take into consideration is that your furnace’s age could be a factor. A furnace that is older will require more maintenance and run less efficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings begin to wear down. It’s recommended to contact 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 more than you did before 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 force your furnace to work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making odd noises that you haven’t heard before, this is an indication to contact a repair service. Scraping, squeaking and banging can all indicate serious problems that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating correctly. This could be a significant issue if the wiring of your thermostat is not connected properly or has become disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat by using your breaker panel. Remove the thermostat cover with a screwdriver and check the wiring. Locate the white and red (standard colors for heat and power) wires and ensure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. Reattach the wires in case they appear loose, and then switch the breaker off.
You can check the display of your thermostat to determine whether it’s functioning properly after you’ve connected the wires and turned on the breaker. If the screen is blank or does not display any data whatsoever it means that your thermostat has lost its power and is unable communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation then you can find out if your thermostat may be faulty by taping the towel to the wall near it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on top. Then, leave it there for around 20 minutes to verify the temperature readings on both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If your thermostat displays an increase in temperature than the thermometer, it could be a problem. If the readings are identical the thermostat is functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces depend on electricity to function, therefore any issue that stops them from receiving the power they require can be dangerous. When your furnace goes off the breaker, it’s recommended to reset it and check whether the issue disappears by itself. If it continues to be occurring, you must take action immediately. This is especially true when the breaker keeps tripping. It indicates a bigger problem.
There are several common reasons that your circuit breaker might stop working. Most of them are easy to repair. One of them is a dirty air filter, which can block airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another reason is clogged air ducts, which could also restrict airflow. Make sure you change your air filter regularly, and make sure that furniture or other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
You may also want to check that your furnace isn’t sharing a circuit with other appliances that are in high demand like the power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is tripped frequently it’s a sign that there isn’t enough power being provided and that they should be given their own circuit.
Another reason why your breaker could be tripping is a wire that is loose. It can happen when a wire gets hot and creates a surge of electricity that could cause your furnace to overheat. This is why it’s important to look for loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. It is recommended to get a professional to take a look if you find any.
Sometimes the issue may not have anything to do with your furnace in any way, and it may simply be that your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job which should be left to an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, disconnected sections and other problems can limit the efficiency of your home. This is often the cause of drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors and rooms, and musty odors. These are all indications that you need to improve your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most common issue with ductwork, however there’s also the possibility of dirt and debris accumulation which can impede airflow. This is particularly risky in the case of ducts that are close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Before calling a repair company, make sure you look up their history of work. This is typically available on their website, or you can ask the repair company about their history and experience when making an appointment. A company with years of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you require.
A trained technician will examine the heat exchanger as well as the other parts of your furnace for any issues. They will clean and grease moving parts to minimize wear. They may also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some cases the heat exchanger may require replacement if it is cracked or damaged.
A faulty heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components of your system to replace or repair. It’s an essential part that is responsible for heating the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has cracked or leaks, it can cause an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.
Get a professional’s help If you notice any odd or unusual sounds emanating from your furnace. The sounds that your furnace makes like banging and squeaking could be indicative of a serious issue that could affect the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A technician with a good reputation will be able to identify the problem and arrange your furnace repair near me quickly. They will also likely offer a guarantee for their work, thereby giving you peace of mind. If you attempt to fix the problem yourself, you could invalidate your warranty and be held accountable for any harm or injury that may occur as a result of your DIY efforts.