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 some things you can do to make sure that your heating system functions effectively.
Ask your friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair companies that they have previously used. They can give valuable feedback on the company and the services it provides.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to conduct a quick inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running more than normal, or you’ve noticed strange sounds. If you haven’t changed your filter for a while it could be blocked and causing issues with airflow, which can cause the system to overwork itself. This could result in high energy bills and even damage the unit itself if left unchecked.
Change your filter is an easy task that can ensure the health of your air in your home, save on energy costs and extend the lifespan of your system. It’s recommended, on average, to change your filter every month, and ensure it’s the correct size for the unit. The dimensions for your furnace are printed along the edges of your filter. simply take a measurement to get an accurate reading. It’s recommended to keep a spare filter on hand to change it out if yours is dirty.
Before contacting an expert, examine your filters to determine whether they’re of the correct size and also to make sure they’re clean. If you notice a lot of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, the filter might not be functioning properly.
Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the bottom door is securely securing the frame. If you don’t do this, the system won’t function. You might also experience some unusual symptoms such as an overheated furnace, or the fan cycling back to cool air rather than heating it up.
The condition of your furnace could be another factor. An older system is likely to require repairs, and will perform less efficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings will begin to wear down. It’s recommended to contact 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 amount of heat you did previously or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, this could suggest that your air filter is in need of replacing. Filters that are dirty may cause your furnace to perform more efficiently over time.
If your furnace is making strange noises that it hasn’t before, this is also an indication that you should contact a repair service. Scraping, squeaking, hissing and banging could be indicators of serious issues that require prompt attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating properly. If your thermostat’s wires have not properly connected or have become disconnected, there could be a sign of a problem. If you notice that the thermostat is not communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat with your circuit breaker box. Next you can use a screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover and inspect the wiring. Locate the white and red 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, reattach them and switch the breaker back on.
You can examine the screen of your thermostat to see whether it’s working as intended after you have reconnected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank, or does not display any data at all it means that your thermostat has lost its power and is unable communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation you can find out if your thermostat may be defective by tying an old towel to the wall close to it, and then putting an ordinary thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, test both the household thermometer and thermostat. If the thermostat’s temperature reads higher than that of the thermometer, this indicates a problem with the thermostat itself. If the readings are the same, your thermostat is likely working properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces depend on electricity to function, so any issue that stops them from obtaining the power they need could be dangerous. If your furnace is able to trip the breaker, it’s recommended to reset it and see whether the issue goes away by itself. However, if it keeps occurring, you must fix the issue immediately. This is especially relevant if the breaker is going off repeatedly, as it indicates an even bigger issue at hand.
There are a few common reasons why your circuit breaker could stop working, and the majority of them are simple to fix. One of them is a dirty air filter, which can hinder airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another reason is clogged air ducts, which could also restrict airflow. Make sure you change your air filter frequently and ensure that furniture or other objects aren’t blocking air vents.
It is also advisable to check whether your furnace isn’t sharing circuits with other appliances that require a lot of power like power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently being tripped, this is an indication that they are not getting enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.
A loose wire may cause your breaker’s to trip. This happens when a wire gets hot and creates an electric current that could cause your furnace to overheat. This is the reason it’s crucial to inspect for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It’s best to get a professional to take a look at any loose wires you discover.
Sometimes the issue may not have anything to have to do with your furnace in any way It could be that your electrical panel requires a repair. This is an occupation for an electrician, and it should not be attempted by homeowners without the right experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, disconnected sections and other problems can limit 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 to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most frequent issue is leaks, however dirt and debris can also clog up ductwork and restrict airflow. This is especially dangerous in the case of ducts that are close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.
Check out the work history of any repair company prior to when you contact them. It is typically accessible on their website or you can ask the service provider about their background and experience when you schedule an appointment. A company that has years of experience is more likely to have the knowledge that you require.
A qualified furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger, as well as other components of your system for any problems. They will clean and lubricate the moving parts to reduce wear and tear. They may also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some instances, the heat exchanger will have to be replaced in the event that it is damaged or cracked. damaged.
The cost of replacing or fixing a heat exchanger that is damaged can be quite high. It’s an essential component that is responsible for heating the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks, this can cause an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.
Call a professional if you hear any strange or unfamiliar noises coming from your furnace. The sounds that your furnace makes like squeaking or banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could impact the efficiency of heating.
A technician with a good track record will be able to identify the problem and plan your furnace repair near me quickly. Additionally they are likely to offer a warranty on their work to provide you with peace of mind. It is possible to void the warranty if you try to fix the issue yourself. You may also be liable for any damages or injuries that result from.
