How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing problems, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your heating system works properly.
Ask your friends, family members, and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair companies that they have used before. They can give you valuable information about the company’s services and customer experience.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct 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 changed your filter for a while, it may be clogged and causing issues with airflow. This could result in the system overworking itself. This could lead to higher costs for energy and can even harm the unit itself if it is left unchecked.
Changing your filter is a straightforward 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 typically a good idea to change your filter monthly and make sure it’s the right size for your system. The dimensions for your furnace are printed on the outside of the filter you have in place; simply take a measurement to get an accurate reading. It’s important to keep a spare filter on hand so you can switch it out if the one you have is dirty.
Before contacting an expert, examine your filters to determine whether they’re of the correct size and also to make sure they’re clean. If you notice a lot of dust on your furniture or surfaces it’s a sign the filter isn’t doing its job properly.
Also, make sure that the door on the bottom of your furnace is securely over the frame and that the safety switch is on. If you don’t, the system won’t function. You might also experience odd symptoms like an overheated unit or the fan cycling back to cool air, rather than heating it up.
The age of your furnace could also be a factor. An older system is likely to need more repairs and to operate less efficiently. This is because components like the blower belt and ball bearings will start to wear out. A professional can help you determine if it’s time for a new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed you’re raising your thermostat to achieve the same level of heat that you did previously or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, it could be a sign that your air filter needs replacing. Filters that are dirty can cause your furnace to become more efficient over time.
If your furnace makes strange noises it has never made before, you should also seek out repair assistance. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, could be a sign of serious problems. A technician should be immediately contacted.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your heating and cooling system to ensure that they’re functioning properly. If your thermostat’s wires have not connected properly or have become disconnected, there could be a sign of a problem. If you notice the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, switch off the power supply to the thermostat by turning off your circuit breaker panel. Next take a screwdriver remove the thermostat cover and look at the wiring. Locate the white and red (standard colors for power and heat) wires and ensure that they are securely connected to their respective terminals. Reattach the wires if they appear loose, then switch the breaker off.
After you’ve connected the wires and turned the breaker on, you should be able to see if your thermostat is working properly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t show any information, this indicates that your thermostat has lost power and is in a position of not being able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case, you can test for a defective thermostat by taping an untidy towel to the wall near your thermostat and then placing a standard thermometer from your household on top of it. After 20 minutes, test both the thermometer in your home and the thermostat. If your thermostat shows an increase in temperature than the thermometer, it could be a problem. If the readings are similar, your thermostat is likely functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces require electricity to function, so any issues that hinder them from receiving the power they require can be risky. It’s a good idea to reset your furnace the first time it trips the breaker, and then see if it resolves itself. If it continues then you should take care to take action immediately to fix the issue. This is particularly true when the breaker is constantly tripping. It indicates a bigger problem.
There are several common reasons why your circuit breaker could stop working. Most of them are easy to fix. One is a dirty air filter that can block airflow and cause the system to overheat. Filter obstructions in air ducts can hinder 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.
You may also want to make sure whether your furnace isn’t sharing circuits with other high-demand appliances like the power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is tripped frequently it’s a sign that there isn’t enough power available and they need to be given their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may not be working is a loose wire. This can happen if a wire gets hot and causes an electrical surge that could cause the furnace to overheat. It is important to check your electrical panel frequently for loose wires. It’s best to have a professional take a look if you find any.
Sometimes the issue isn’t to do with your furnace in any way and could be that your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a task that should be handled by an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, disconnected sections and other issues can impede the performance of your home. This often results in drafty rooms, extreme temperature differences between floors, and musty odors. These are all signs that you need to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most common problem is leaks, but dirt and debris can also block ductwork and limit airflow. This is especially difficult 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. This information is usually available on their website, or you can ask the service provider about their history and experience when scheduling an appointment. You are more likely to get the knowledge you require if you choose a company with many years of experience.
A trained technician will examine the heat exchanger, as well as all other parts of your furnace for issues. They will clean and lubricate moving components to reduce wear and tear. They may also alter the thermostat or change the air filter. In certain instances the heat exchanger may need to be replaced if it is cracked or damaged.
A faulty heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components in your system to repair or replace. It is an essential part that heats the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or is leaking, this can cause carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
Get a professional’s help If you hear strange or unusual noises emanating from your furnace. The sounds coming from your furnace like squeaking or banging could be a sign of a serious issue that could compromise the efficiency of heating.
A technician with a good track record 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 ensure your peace of peace of. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you could void your warranty and be liable for any damage or injury that occurs due to your DIY efforts.
