How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
It can be very frustrating and even dangerous when the furnace fails to function properly. There are a few things you can do to make sure that your heating system works correctly.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family and colleagues about furnace repair companies they have used in the past. They may have valuable feedback about the company and its services.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time for an inspection in case you’ve noticed that your furnace is running faster than usual, or if you’ve heard unusual sounds. If you haven’t changed your filter for long, it could be clogged, causing airflow problems, which could cause the system to work harder than it should. If you don’t examine it, this can cause high costs and even damage to the unit.
Change your filter is a simple task that can ensure the health of your air within your home, cut down on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s a good idea, on average, to change your filter each month and make sure it’s the correct size for your unit. The dimensions of your furnace are printed along the edges of the filter you have in place; simply take it off to get a precise reading. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra filter on hand so you can swap it out when yours is dirty.
Make sure to check your filters prior to calling a professional to make sure they’re clean and the right size. If you see an abundance of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, your filter may not be working properly.
Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is turned on and that the door on the bottom is secured over the frame. If you don’t, the system will not operate. You might also experience odd symptoms like an overheated furnace, or the fan cycling back to cool air rather than heating it up.
The age of your furnace could also be a factor. A system that is old will likely to need more repairs and to run inefficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings begin to wear down. Contacting a professional can help you determine whether it’s time to get a new system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you’ve noticed you’re increasing the thermostat to reach the same level of heat that you used to, or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, it could suggest that your air filter requires replacing. Over time, dirty filters may make your furnace work harder than it should.
If your furnace is making unusual noises that it hasn’t before, this is a sign that you should contact a repair service. The sounds of squeaking and banging, as well as scraping, can indicate serious issues. A technician should be immediately contacted.
Your thermostat has the responsibility to communicate with your heating and cooling system to ensure that they are operating correctly. This could be a significant problem if your thermostat’s wiring isn’t connected correctly or has become disconnected. If you notice the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, shut off the power supply to the thermostat by using your breaker panel. Next, use a screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover and examine the wiring. Locate the red and white (standard colors for heat and power) wires and make sure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. Reattach the wires if they appear loose, and then switch the breaker off.
You can check the screen of your thermostat to determine whether it’s functioning properly after you have reconnected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank or doesn’t display any information, it means that your thermostat has lost power and is unable to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation you can 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 thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, you can check both the thermometer in your home and the thermostat. If the thermostat’s temperature is higher than the one on the thermometer, this could indicate an issue with the thermostat itself. If the readings are identical the thermostat is probably working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces require electricity to function, therefore any issue that stops them from receiving the power they require could be dangerous. It’s a great idea to reset your furnace the first time it trips the breaker. See whether it can be fixed. If it doesn’t you must deal with the issue immediately. This is especially relevant if the breaker is going off repeatedly, as this suggests that there’s an even bigger issue at hand.
There are a few typical reasons your circuit breaker may stop working, and the majority of them are relatively easy to repair. One of the most common causes is a dirty or dirty filter which can block airflow, causing the system to overheat. Another reason is clogged air ducts, which can also hinder airflow. Be sure to change your air filter frequently and ensure that furniture or other items aren’t blocking air vents.
It is also advisable to ensure whether your furnace isn’t sharing a circuit with other appliances that require a lot of power, such as power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently tripped it’s an indication that there isn’t enough power and that they should be given their own circuit.
A loose wire may cause your breaker’s to trip. It can happen when the wire becomes hot and causes an electrical surge which can cause the furnace to overheat. It is important to check your electrical panel regularly for loose wires. It’s best to get a professional to take a look if you find any.
Sometimes the issue isn’t to do with your furnace at all, and it may simply be that your electrical panel is in need of a repair. This is a job 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 issues that hinder your home’s performance. This is often the cause of drafty rooms, extreme temperature variations between floors and rooms, and musty odors. These are all signs that you need to improve your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.
The most frequent issue is leaks, but dirt and debris can clog up ductwork and restrict airflow. This can be especially difficult if the ducts are near to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Review the work history of any repair company before you contact them. This is typically available on their website or you can ask the service provider about their past and expertise when you schedule an appointment. A company with years of experience is more likely to have the knowledge that you need.
A skilled furnace technician will look over 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 parts to reduce wear and tear. They may also alter the thermostat or change the air filter. In some cases the heat exchanger may need to be replaced in the event that it is damaged or cracked. damaged.
A faulty heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components in your system to replace or repair. It is a crucial component which heats the air in your home prior to it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or is leaking, this can cause carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
Contact a professional If you hear strange or strange noises emanating from your furnace. The sounds that your furnace makes such as squeaking and banging could indicate a serious problem that could affect the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A reliable technician will be able to identify the issue and schedule your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. In addition they’ll likely provide 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 injury or damage that may occur due to your DIY efforts.