How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be a hassle and even dangerous when a furnace malfunctions. There are a variety of factors you can look for to ensure that your heating system is working correctly.
Ask for referrals from friends, family and colleagues on furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They may have valuable feedback about 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 running more than normal, or if you’ve heard strange sounds. If you haven’t changed your filter in awhile and it’s clogged, it could be and causing problems with airflow. This could cause the system to overwork itself. This can lead to high costs for energy and can even harm the system itself if left unchecked.
It’s easy to change your filter which can help maintain a healthy air quality at home, reduce your energy bills and prolong the longevity of your system. It’s generally a good idea to change your filter every month and ensure that it’s the right size for your system. The dimensions of your furnace on the edge of your current filter. Simply measure it to get an accurate reading. It is also recommended to keep an extra furnace filter on hand so that you can change it if yours gets dirty.
Before you call an expert, examine your filters to determine 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 properly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is turned on and that the door on the bottom is secured over the frame. If you don’t, your furnace will not function properly. You may also experience strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit or the fan turning back to cool air rather than heating it up.
The age of your furnace could be a factor. A system that is old will likely to need more repairs and run inefficiently. This is due to parts such as the blower belt or ball bearings that wear out. A professional can help you determine whether it’s time to get a new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you have to turn up the thermostat higher than you previously did to achieve the same heat level or that it takes longer to heat your home, your air filter might require replacement. Filters that are dirty may cause your furnace to perform more efficiently over time.
If your furnace is making odd noises that it hasn’t made before, it’s a sign that you should seek out repair services. Scraping, squeaking and banging could all be signs of serious issues that require prompt attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating correctly. This could be a major problem if your thermostat’s wiring isn’t connected correctly or has been disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat using your breaker panel. Then you can use a screwdriver to 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 securely connected to 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 turned the switch on, you should be able to determine whether your thermostat is functioning correctly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t show any information, 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 find out if your thermostat may be faulty by taping a piece of paper towel to the wall close to it, and then putting an ordinary thermometer on the top. Then, leave it in place for about 20 minutes to check the temperature readings on both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If the thermostat’s temperature is 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 require electricity to function, so any issues that prevent them from obtaining the power they require can be dangerous. When your furnace goes off the breaker it is a good idea to reset it and see whether the issue goes away by itself. If it doesn’t you must address the problem immediately. This is especially true when the breaker is constantly tripping. It indicates a bigger problem.
There are a few common reasons your circuit breaker may stop working, and the majority of them are fairly simple to fix. One of them is a dirty air filter that can stop airflow and cause the system to overheat. Air ducts that are blocked can restrict airflow. Make sure you change your air filter on a regular basis and ensure 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 keeps tripping frequently, it is an indication that there is not enough power being provided and that they should be provided with their own circuit.
Another reason why your breaker could keep tripping is a loose wire. This happens when a wire gets hot, and causes an electrical surge that can overheat your furnace. This is the reason it’s crucial to look for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. If you discover any wires that aren’t in good condition, it’s a good idea to call a professional to examine the wires.
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 a repair. This is a job for an electrician, and should not be attempted by homeowners without the proper experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, disconnected sections and other issues can hinder the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms, extreme temperature differences between floors, and musty odors. These are all clues to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most common issue with ductwork, however there is also the possibility of dirt and debris accumulation that restricts airflow. This is particularly risky if your ducts are located close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.
Before calling an repair service, be sure you check their history of work. You will 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 knowledge that you require.
A qualified furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger, as well as other parts of your system for problems. They will clean and lubricate the moving parts to minimize wear and tear. They can also adjust the thermostat or replace the air filter. In some cases the heat exchanger may require replacement in the event that it is damaged or cracked. damaged.
A broken heat exchanger is one of the most expensive parts in your system to repair or replace. It’s a crucial component that heats your home’s air before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is damaged or leaks, it could cause an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.
Contact a professional If you notice any odd or unusual noises emanating from your furnace. The sounds that your furnace makes like banging and squeaking could be indicative of a serious issue that could impact the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A technician with a great reputation is able to spot the problem and schedule your furnace repair near me swiftly. They may also provide a warranty on their work, giving you peace of mind. You may void your warranty if you try to fix the problem yourself. You could be held accountable for any damages or injuries that result from.