How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing issues, it can be frustrating and even dangerous. There are some steps you can take to ensure that your heating system functions properly.
Request recommendations from your family, friends and colleagues regarding furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They can give valuable feedback about the business and the services it provides.
1. Check Your Filters
If you’ve noticed your furnace is running more frequently than usual or if you’ve started hearing strange sounds it’s an opportunity to conduct a check. If you haven’t changed your filter in awhile, it may be clogged and causing issues with airflow, which can cause the system to overwork itself. This could lead to higher energy bills, and may even cause damage to the unit itself if left unchecked.
The process of changing your filter is an easy task that can ensure the health of your air in your home, help save on energy costs and prolong the lifespan of your system. It’s a good idea, on average, to change your filter once a month, and ensure it’s the correct size for your unit. The dimensions for your furnace are printed along one of the edges of the filter you have in place; simply take a measurement to get a precise reading. It’s recommended to keep an extra filter on hand to switch it out if the one you have is dirty.
Before contacting a professional, you should check your filters to see whether they’re of the correct size and to ensure that they’re clean. If you see a lot of dust on your furniture or surfaces it’s a sign the filter isn’t doing its job properly.
Also, ensure that the safety switch on your furnace is switched on and that the door on the bottom is securely securing the frame. If it’s not, the system won’t operate and you may experience some strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit or the fan cycling to cool air instead of heating it up.
Another thing to take into consideration is that your furnace’s age could be an element. A furnace that is older is likely to need more repairs and perform less efficiently. This is because components like the blower belt and ball bearings begin to wear down. A professional can help you determine whether it’s time to get a new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you are required to turn up the thermostat higher than you previously did for the same heat level, or it takes longer to heat your home, the air filter might need to be replaced. Over time, dirty filters may cause your furnace to work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making odd noises that you haven’t heard before, it’s an indication that you should contact a repair service. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, could indicate serious problems. A technician should be contacted immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your heating and cooling systems to ensure that they’re operating properly. This could be a major problem if your thermostat’s wiring isn’t properly connected or has been disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power supply to the thermostat using your circuit breaker panel. Next you can use a screwdriver to remove the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Locate the red and white (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 turn the breaker on again.
Once you’ve reattached the wires and turned the breaker on then you should be able to see whether your thermostat is functioning properly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or does not display any data at all the thermostat has lost power and isn’t able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation you can determine if your thermostat is faulty by taping an old towel to the wall close to it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, test both the household thermometer and thermostat. If your thermostat displays an increase in temperature than the thermometer, it could be a problem. If the readings match your thermostat’s readings, it could be functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces rely on electricity to function, therefore any issues that prevent them from getting the power they require could be risky. When your furnace goes off the breaker, it’s an ideal idea to reset it and see whether the issue disappears by itself. If it continues to be happening, you need to fix the issue immediately. This is especially when the breaker keeps running into trouble, since it indicates a larger problem at hand.
There are a few typical reasons your circuit breaker may stop working, and the majority of them are fairly simple to repair. One of the most frequent causes is a dirty filter that can block airflow, which causes the system to overheat. Air ducts that are blocked can hinder airflow. Make sure that you change your air filters frequently and that there are no furniture or other objects block air vents.
It is also advisable to make sure whether your furnace isn’t sharing a circuit with other appliances that are in high demand, such as the power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker keeps being tripped, it’s an indication that they aren’t getting enough power and should be assigned their own circuit.
A loose wire can also cause your breaker to go off. It can happen when the wire becomes hot and causes an electrical surge which can cause the furnace to overheat. This is the reason it’s crucial to inspect for loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. If you find any wires that aren’t in good condition, it’s a good idea to get a professional to examine them.
Sometimes, the issue has nothing to be related to your furnace at all and could be that your electrical panel requires a repair. This is a job that should be handled by an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, leaking sections, and other issues can hinder the efficiency of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms, extreme temperature variations between floors and rooms, and musty odors. These are all signs that you should upgrade your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
The most common problem is leaks, however dirt and debris may also cause ductwork to become blocked and hinder airflow. This can be especially difficult if the ducts are close to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Review the work history of any repair company before you call them. This information is usually available on their website or you can inquire with the repair company about their past and expertise when scheduling an appointment. You are more likely to find the expertise you need when you select a company with a long history of success.
A qualified furnace technician will inspect the heat exchanger as well as all other parts of your system to determine if there are any issues. They will clean and lubricate the moving components to reduce wear and tear. They can also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat when needed. In certain instances the heat exchanger might have to be replaced if it is cracked or damaged.
A faulty heat exchanger is among the most expensive components in your system to fix or replace. It’s an essential part that heats your home’s air before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or leaks it could cause a carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
If you hear any unusual or unfamiliar noises from your furnace, you should call a repair specialist. The sounds that your furnace makes like banging and squeaking could indicate a serious problem that could affect the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A professional with experience can identify the issue and plan your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. In addition, they will likely offer an assurance on their work to give you peace of assurance. If you attempt to fix the issue yourself, you could void the warranty and be responsible for any harm or injury that may occur because of your DIY efforts.