How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be frustrating and even dangerous when your furnace is not working properly. However, there are several aspects to consider to ensure that your heating system is functioning correctly.
Ask for referrals from friends, family and colleagues regarding furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can provide valuable details about the company’s services and the customer experience.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time for a quick inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running faster than usual, or if you’ve noticed strange sounds. If you haven’t changed your filter in awhile, it may be clogged and causing problems with airflow. This could result in the system overworking itself. If you don’t examine it, this can result in costly repairs and even damage to the system.
It’s simple to change your filter, which can help you maintain the health of your air at home, cut down on energy costs and extend the lifespan of your system. It is recommended to change your filter each month and make sure it’s the correct size for your unit. You can find the dimensions of your furnace on the outside of the filter you have. Simply take a measurement to get an exact reading. It’s important to keep an extra filter on hand so you can swap it out when yours is dirty.
Check your filters before calling a professional to make sure they’re clean and of the right size. If you notice a lot of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, the filter may not be working correctly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is switched on and that the door on the bottom is securely securing the frame. If you don’t, the system won’t function. You may also experience some unusual symptoms such as an overheated unit or the fan reversing back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to take into consideration is the fact that the age of your furnace could be an issue. An older furnace will require more repairs and run less effectively. This is due to parts like the blower belt or ball bearings that wear out. A professional can help you determine the best time to replace your new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed that you’re raising the thermostat to reach the same amount of heat that 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 needs replacing. Over time, dirty filters can cause your furnace to work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making strange noises it has never made before, you must contact a repair service. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, could be a sign of serious problems. A technician should be contacted immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible for communicating with your heating and cooling systems to ensure that they’re operating properly. If your thermostat’s wires have not properly connected or have become disconnected, this could be a cause for concern. If you notice that the thermostat is not communicating with your system, first turn off power to the thermostat by using your circuit breaker box. Then you can use a screwdriver to remove the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Find the red and white wires (standard colors for heat and power) and make sure they’re tightly plugged in to their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reconnect them and switch the breaker off.
You can examine the screen of your thermostat to see whether it’s working as intended after you’ve connected the wires and turned on the breaker. If the screen is blank or doesn’t display any information, this indicates that your thermostat has lost power and is unable to communicate with your heater.
If this is the case then you can determine if your thermostat is faulty by taping a piece of paper towel to the wall near it, and then putting an ordinary thermometer on top. Then, you can leave the thermometer in place for around 20 minutes to check the temperature readings on both your household thermometer and your thermostat. If your thermostat is showing more heat than the thermometer, it could be a sign of a problem. If the readings are identical the thermostat is working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces depend on electricity to function, so any issues that hinder them from getting the power they require could be dangerous. If your furnace is able to trip the breaker it is recommended to reset it and check whether the issue goes away on its own. However, if it keeps happening, you should address the issue right away. This is especially relevant if the breaker is running into trouble, since this indicates that there’s an even bigger issue at hand.
There are several common reasons why your circuit breaker may trip. The majority of them are easy to repair. One of the most common reasons is a dirty filter that can block airflow, causing the system to overheat. Another is clogged air ducts, which could also hinder airflow. Make sure that you change your air filters frequently and that no furniture or other objects block air vents.
You might also want to ensure that 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 is constantly being reset, this is an indication that they aren’t receiving enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may not be working is a wire that is loose. This could happen when the wire becomes hot and creates an electrical surge which can overheat the furnace. This is why it’s important to check for any loose wires in your electrical panel regularly. If you find any, it’s a good idea to get an expert to inspect them.
Sometimes the issue isn’t 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 task which should be left to an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute the conditioned air throughout your house can be prone to leaks, disconnected sections, and other problems that can hinder the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors and rooms, and musty odors. These are all signs that you need to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
Leaks are the most prevalent issue with ductwork. However, there is also the possibility of dirt and debris accumulation that restricts airflow. This is especially dangerous in the case of ducts that are near the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility that can occur.
Review the work history of any repair company before you contact them. You can usually find this information on their website or talk to the repair company to confirm an appointment. You are more likely to get the knowledge you require if you choose a company with many years of experience.
A skilled technician will inspect the heat exchanger and the other components of your furnace for problems. They will clean and lubricate the moving parts to minimize wear and tear. They may also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some cases the heat exchanger might have to be replaced when it has cracked or damaged.
The cost of replacing or fixing an exchanger for heat that is faulty can be very high. It is an essential component that heats the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks, this can cause carbon monoxide gas leak that requires immediate attention.
If you hear any unusual or unfamiliar noises from your furnace, it’s time to contact a repair technician. Scraping, squeaking, banging and hissing are all signs of serious issues that could affect your heating performance.
A reputable technician 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 ensure your peace of assurance. If you try to fix the issue yourself, you might void the warranty and be responsible for any harm or injury that may occur as a result of your DIY efforts.
