How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair

It can be frustrating and even dangerous if your furnace is not working properly. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your heating system works properly.

Ask for recommendations from friends, family members and colleagues about furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can provide valuable feedback about the business and its services.

1. Check Your Filters

If you’ve noticed your furnace is running a lot more than usual or you’ve been hearing strange noises, it might be an opportunity to conduct a check. If you haven’t changed your filter for long, it could be blocked, causing airflow problems, which can cause the system to overwork itself. This could result in high energy bills, and may even cause damage to the system itself if left unchecked.

It’s easy to change your filter which can help maintain a healthy air quality at home, lower your expenses on energy and also extend the life of your system. It’s a good idea to change your filter once a month, and ensure it’s the right size for the unit. You can find the dimensions of your furnace on the outside of your current filter. Simply measure it to get a precise reading. You should also keep a spare furnace filter handy so you can replace it when yours becomes dirty.

Before you call a professional, you should look over your filters to see whether they’re in the right size and to ensure they’re clean. If you see a lot of dust on your furniture or other surfaces it’s a sign the filter isn’t doing its job properly.

Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the door on the bottom is secured over the frame. If not, the system won’t operate and you may experience some unusual symptoms, including an overheated unit or the fan cycling to cool the air instead of heating it up.

Another thing to take into consideration is that your furnace’s age could be an element. A furnace that is older is likely to require more repairs and to perform less efficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt or ball bearings wearing out. A professional can assist you in determining the best time to replace your new system.

2. Check Your Thermostat

If you’ve noticed that you’re not raising the thermostat to get the same level of heat as you used to, or that it takes longer for your home to reach a desired temperature, this may be a sign that your air filter requires replacing. Filters that are dirty could cause your furnace to work harder over time.

If your furnace is making odd noises that you haven’t heard before, it’s a sign that you should seek out repair services. Scraping, squeaking and banging can all indicate serious problems that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.

Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your cooling and heating systems to ensure that they’re functioning properly. This could be a major issue if the wiring of your thermostat is not connected properly or has been disconnected. If you notice that the thermostat is not communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat with your circuit breaker box. Then, use a screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover and examine the wiring. Locate the red and white wires (standard colors for heat and power) and make sure they’re securely connected to their respective terminals. Reattach the wires if they seem loose and switch the breaker off.

You can check the screen of your thermostat to see whether it’s working as intended after you’ve reconnected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank, or doesn’t show any data whatsoever the thermostat has lost its power and is not able to communicate with your heater.

If this is the case then you can find out if your thermostat may be not working properly by attaching the towel to the wall next to it and then placing an ordinary thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, test both the thermometer in your home and the thermostat. If your thermostat is showing a higher temperature than the thermometer, there could be a sign of a problem. If the readings are the same, your thermostat is likely working properly.

3. Check Your Circuit Breaker

Furnaces are powered by electricity, therefore any problems that prevent them from receiving the power they require can be a risk. If your furnace is able to trip the breaker it’s an ideal idea to reset it and see whether the issue goes away on its own. If it continues then you should take care to take action immediately to fix the issue. This is particularly when the breaker keeps tripping repeatedly, as this indicates 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 simple to repair. One is a dirty air filter that can stop airflow and cause the system to overheat. Filter obstructions in air ducts can limit airflow. Make sure that you change your air filters regularly and ensure that no furniture or other objects block air vents.

Make sure your furnace doesn’t share the same circuit as high-demand appliances like power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker keeps being tripped, this is an indication that they are not being given enough power and should be assigned their own circuit.

A loose wire may cause your breaker to trip. It can happen when a wire is hot, and it creates a surge of electricity that can overheat your furnace. It is important to check your electrical panel frequently for loose wires. If you discover any, it’s a good idea to contact a professional to inspect the wires.

It is possible that the problem has nothing to do at all with your furnace, instead, your electrical panel needs repair. This is a job that requires an electrician, and it should not be attempted by homeowners who do not have the proper experience.

4. Check Your Ductwork

Leaks, broken sections and other issues can hinder the efficiency of your home. This can result in drafty rooms, extreme temperatures between floors and musty odors. These are all clues 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 buildup that can block airflow. This is especially problematic if the ducts are near the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Before you call an repair service, be sure to check out their past work history. It is typically accessible on their website, or you can ask the repair service provider about their background and experience when you schedule an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the experience that you require.

A skilled furnace technician will look over the heat exchanger and all other components of your system for any problems. They will clean and lubricate the moving parts to minimize wear and tear. They can also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat as needed. In certain instances, the heat exchanger may need to be replaced if it is cracked or damaged.

A broken heat exchanger is one of the most expensive parts in your system to fix or replace. It’s an essential component that is responsible for heating the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has cracked or leaks, it can cause an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.

If you hear any strange or unsettling sounds from your furnace, you should contact a repair expert. The sounds coming from your furnace such as squeaking and banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could impact its heating capabilities.

A technician with a good reputation will be able to identify the issue and arrange your furnace repair near me quickly. Additionally they are likely to offer an assurance on their work to ensure your peace of mind. If you try to fix the problem yourself, you could void the warranty and be responsible for any harm or injury that occurs as a result of your DIY efforts.