How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When a home furnace experiences problems, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. There are some things you can do to ensure that your heating system is operating properly.
Ask your family, friends, members, and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair firms that they have previously worked with. They can provide valuable details about the services offered by the company and customer service.
1. Check Your Filters
If you’ve noticed your furnace is operating more frequently than usual or you’ve been hearing strange sounds it’s time for a quick check. If you haven’t replaced your filter in awhile, it may be clogged 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 unit itself if it is left unchecked.
Changing your filter is a straightforward task that can help maintain the health of your air in your home, save on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It is recommended, on average, to change your filter each month and make sure it is the right size for the unit you have. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the edge of the filter you have. Simply take a measurement to get a precise reading. Keep an extra furnace filter on hand so that you can change it when yours becomes dirty.
Check your filters prior to calling an expert to ensure they are clean and the right size. If you notice a lot of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, your filter might not be functioning properly.
Also, be sure the door on the bottom of your furnace is secured over the frame and the safety switch is switched on. If not, the system won’t operate and you may encounter unusual symptoms, including an overheated unit or the fan cycling to cool air instead of heating it up.
The condition of your furnace could be another factor. A furnace that is older is likely to need repairs, and will run inefficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt or ball bearings wearing out. It’s a good idea seek out an experienced professional to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you have to crank up the thermostat more than you did before for the same heat level or it takes longer to warm your home, your air filter may need to be replaced. Over time, dirty filters may cause your furnace to perform more than it should.
If your furnace is making unusual noises that it hasn’t made before, it’s an indication to call for repair services. The sounds of squeaking and banging, as well as scraping, can indicate serious issues. A technician should be contacted immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your cooling and heating systems to ensure that they’re functioning properly. If your thermostat’s wires are not connected properly or have become disconnected, there could be a cause for concern. If you notice that your thermostat is not communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat by using your breakers box. 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 tightly plugged in to their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reconnect them and turn the breaker back on.
After you’ve reconnected the wires and turned the switch on and off, you should be able to see whether your thermostat is functioning properly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t display any information, it means that your thermostat has lost power and is in a position of not being able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation, you can test to find out if your thermostat may be not working properly by attaching a piece of paper towel to the wall next to it, and then putting an ordinary household thermometer on top. Then, you can leave it there for around 20 minutes to verify the readings of both your household thermometer and your thermostat. If your thermostat displays a higher temperature than the thermometer, there could be a problem. If the readings are in line your thermostat’s readings, it could be functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces require electricity to function, so any issues that hinder them from getting the power they require could be risky. One time your furnace trips the breaker it’s a good idea to reset it and see whether the issue goes away by itself. If it doesn’t then you should take care to take action immediately to fix the issue. This is especially when the breaker keeps going off repeatedly, as it indicates an even bigger issue at hand.
There are a few typical reasons that your circuit breaker might trip, and most of them are simple to repair. One is a dirty air filter, which can hinder airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another reason is clogged air ducts that can also hinder airflow. Make sure to change your air filters frequently and ensure that no furniture or other objects block air vents.
You might also want to check whether 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 frequently being tripped, this is an indication that they’re not receiving enough power and must be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker might be tripping is a loose wire. It can happen when a wire gets hot, and it creates an electrical surge that could cause your furnace to overheat. This is why it’s important to look for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It’s best to get a professional to examine the area for any.
It is possible that the issue has nothing to do at any time with your furnace, it is more likely that your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job that requires an electrician, and it is not something that should be attempted by homeowners who do not have having the necessary experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, disconnected sections and other issues can hinder the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms as well as extreme temperatures between floors and musty smells. These are all clues to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most common issue with ductwork, however there’s also the possibility of dirt and debris accumulation that restricts airflow. This is especially dangerous if your ducts are located near the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Before calling a repair company, be sure you check their history of work. It is typically accessible on their website, or you can ask the service provider about their background and experience when scheduling an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you require.
A trained technician will examine the heat exchanger, as well as all other parts of your furnace to determine if there are any problems. They will clean and lubricate moving components to reduce wear and tear. They may also alter the thermostat or replace the air filter. In some instances the heat exchanger may have to be replaced when it has cracked or damaged.
The cost of replacing or repairing a heat exchanger that is faulty can be very high. It is an essential component which heats the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or is leaking, this can cause carbon monoxide gas leak that requires immediate attention.
Call a professional If you notice any odd or unfamiliar sounds emanating from your furnace. Scraping, squeaking, and hissing all indicate serious issues that could affect your heating performance.
A technician with a good reputation will be able detect the problem and schedule your furnace repair near me swiftly. They will also likely provide a warranty on their work, which gives you peace of peace of. If you try to fix the issue yourself, you could void the warranty and be responsible for any injury or damage that results because of your DIY efforts.
