How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
If your furnace in your home experiences issues, it can be a hassle and even risky. There are a few things you can do to ensure that your heating system is operating effectively.
Ask for referrals from family, friends and colleagues regarding furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can give valuable feedback about the company and the services it provides.
1. Check Your Filters
If you’ve noticed that your furnace is running more frequently than usual or you’ve been experiencing strange noises, it might be the time to do a quick inspection. If you haven’t changed your filter in a while and it’s clogged, it could be and causing problems with airflow, which 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 simple task that will help maintain healthy air quality in your home, help save on energy bills and increase the life of your system. It is recommended, on average, to change your filter each month and ensure that it is the right size for the unit. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the edge of your current filter. Simply measure it to get an exact reading. You should also keep a spare furnace filter handy so that you can change it if yours gets 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 lots of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, the filter may not be working correctly.
Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the door on the bottom is securely securing the frame. If not, the furnace will not work and you may experience some strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit or a fan that is cycling to cool the air instead of heating it up.
The age of your furnace may be another factor. An older system will require more maintenance and will operate less effectively. This is due to components such as the blower belt or ball bearings wearing out. It’s a good idea to seek out an experienced professional to determine if it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed that you’re not increasing the thermostat to get the same level of heat you did previously, or that it takes longer for your home to reach a desired temperature, this could be a sign that your air filter is in need of replacing. Filters that are dirty could cause your furnace to perform more efficiently over time.
If your furnace is making strange noises it hasn’t experienced before, it is time to seek out repair assistance. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, could indicate serious problems. A technician should be immediately contacted.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your cooling and heating systems to ensure that they’re functioning correctly. This could be a serious problem if your thermostat’s wiring 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 turning off your breakers panel. Remove the thermostat cover with a screwdriver, and then check the wiring. Locate the white and red wires (standard colors for heating and power) and ensure that they’re securely connected to their respective terminals. If the wires appear to be loose, reattach them and switch the breaker off.
After you’ve reconnected the wires and switched the breaker on and off, you will be able to tell if your thermostat is working correctly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or doesn’t show any data at all the thermostat has lost power and is not able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case, you can test to determine if your thermostat is defective by tying the towel to the wall close to it and then placing an ordinary thermometer on top. Then, leave it in place for about 20 minutes to examine the readings on your thermometer for your home and your thermostat. If the thermostat’s temperature is higher than the one on the thermometer, this indicates that there is a problem with your thermostat itself. If the readings are identical the thermostat is probably functioning correctly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces require electricity to function, so any issues that prevent them from obtaining the power they require can be risky. One time your furnace trips the breaker, it’s a good idea to reset it and check whether the issue goes away by itself. If it doesn’t, you should deal with the issue immediately. This is particularly true if the breaker trips repeatedly. It could indicate a larger issue.
There are a few typical reasons your circuit breaker may trip, and most of them are fairly simple to fix. One reason is a dirty or dirty air filter that can stop airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another issue is blocked air ducts that can also restrict airflow. Make sure to replace your air filters on a regular basis and that no furniture or other objects block air vents.
Check that your furnace doesn’t share an electrical circuit with appliances that are in high demand such as power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is tripped frequently, it is an indication that there is not enough power and that they should be given their own circuit.
A loose wire could cause your breaker to trip. This could happen when the wire is hot and causes an electrical surge which can cause the furnace to overheat. This is the reason it’s crucial to look for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. If you find any wires that aren’t in good condition, it’s a good idea to contact a professional to inspect them.
Sometimes, the issue has nothing to do with your furnace in any way, and it may simply be that your electrical panel requires a repair. This is a job that should be handled by an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute conditioned air throughout your home may develop leaks, broken sections, and other problems that hinder your home’s performance. This often results in drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors, and musty odors. These are all signs to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most prevalent issue with ductwork, however there’s also the chance of dirt and debris accumulation that can block airflow. This is particularly risky if your ducts are located near the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.
Check out the work history of any repair company before you call them. This is typically available on their website, or you can ask the repair company about their background and experience when you schedule an appointment. A company with years of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you require.
A skilled furnace technician will look over the heat exchanger and all other components of your system to determine if there are any issues. They will clean and lubricate moving parts to reduce wear and tear. They may also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat if required. In some instances the heat exchanger may require replacement in the event that it is damaged or cracked. damaged.
A faulty heat exchanger is one of the most expensive parts in your system to fix or replace. It is an essential component that heats the air inside your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has cracked or leaks, it could lead to the formation of carbon monoxide, which requires immediate attention.
Call a professional If you hear strange or unusual noises emanating from your furnace. Scraping, squeaking, banging, and hissing all indicate serious problems that could compromise the efficiency of your heating system.
A technician with a great reputation will be able detect the problem and schedule your furnace repair near me quickly. Additionally they’ll likely provide an assurance on their work to ensure your peace of assurance. If you try to fix the issue yourself, you could void your warranty and be held accountable for any injury or damage that results due to your DIY efforts.