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 some steps you can take to ensure that your heating system is operating properly.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family and colleagues on furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They can give you valuable information regarding the company’s services as well as the customer experience.
1. Check Your Filters
It’s time to do an inspection in case you’ve noticed that your furnace is operating more than normal, or you’ve heard unusual noises. If you haven’t replaced your filter in a while and it’s clogged, it could be and causing issues with airflow. This could result in the system overworking itself. If you don’t take the time to check it, this can result in costly repairs and even damage to the system.
The process of changing your filter is an easy task that can help maintain the health of your air in your home, save on energy bills and increase the lifespan of your system. It’s typically a good idea to change your filter each month and make sure it’s the right size for your system. The dimensions for your furnace are located along one of the edges of your current filter; simply take it off to get an accurate reading. You should also keep a spare furnace filter handy so that you can change it if it gets dirty.
Before calling for a professional, you should examine your filters to determine whether they’re in the right size and to ensure that they’re clean. If you see a lot of dirt on your furniture or other surfaces, the filter may not be working properly.
Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is turned on and that the bottom door is secured over the frame. If you don’t, the system will not function properly. You might also experience strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit, or the fan turning 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 a factor. An older system is likely to require repairs, and will run inefficiently. This is due to components like the blower belt or ball bearings wearing out. It’s a good idea consult a professional with experience to determine whether or not 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 may suggest that your air filter is in need of replacing. Over time, dirty filters may make your furnace work harder than it needs to.
If your furnace is making strange noises that it hasn’t heard before, it is time to contact a repair service. Scraping, squeaking and banging could be indicators of serious issues that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.
Your thermostat has the responsibility to communicate with your cooling and heating system to ensure that they’re functioning correctly. This could be a significant issue if the wiring of your thermostat isn’t properly connected or has become disconnected. If you notice the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat by turning off your breaker panel. Take off the thermostat cover using a screwdriver and check the wiring. Locate the red and white (standard colors for power and heat) wires and make sure they are securely connected to their respective terminals. Reattach the wires in case they appear loose, and then switch the breaker off.
After you’ve connected the wires and turned the switch on then you should be able to see whether your thermostat is functioning properly by looking at its display. If the screen is blank or does not display any data, this means that your thermostat has lost power and is not able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation then you can find out if your thermostat may be defective by tying an old towel to the wall close to it and then placing an ordinary household thermometer on the top. After that, leave the thermometer in place for around 20 minutes to verify the readings of both your household thermometer as well as your thermostat. If the temperature on your thermostat is higher than the one on the thermometer, this indicates a problem with the thermostat itself. If the readings are consistent, your thermostat may be functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, so any issues that hinder them from receiving the power they require can be dangerous. It’s a good idea to reset your furnace the first time it triggers the breaker, and then see whether it gets resolved. If it’s still happening, you need to address the issue right away. This is particularly true when the breaker keeps tripping. It could indicate a larger problem.
There are a variety of reasons that your circuit breaker could stop working. The majority of them are easy to repair. One is a dirty air filter that can block airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another is clogged air ducts that can also restrict airflow. Make sure to replace your air filters on a regular basis and ensure that no furniture or other objects block air vents.
Check to see if your furnace does not share the same circuit as high-demand appliances such as power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is constantly being tripped, it’s an indication that they are not being given enough power and must be assigned their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may be tripping is a wire that is loose. This can happen if the wire becomes hot and causes an electrical surge that can overheat the furnace. It is important to check your electrical panel frequently for loose wires. It’s best to have a professional take a look at any loose wires you discover.
Sometimes the issue isn’t to do with your furnace at all and could be that your electrical panel is in need of repair. This is a job that should be handled by an electrician.
4. Check Your Ductwork
The ducts that distribute the conditioned air throughout your home can be prone to leaks, disconnected sections, and other problems that can hinder the performance of your home. This often results in drafty rooms, extreme temperature variations between floors, and musty odors. These are all clues that you need to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most common problem is leaks, but dirt and debris may also cause ductwork to become blocked and hinder airflow. This can be especially problematic if the ducts are near to the furnace, which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Find out the history of work of any repair company before you call them. You can typically find the information on their website or ask the technician when you make an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you need.
A qualified furnace technician will look over the heat exchanger as well as all other components of your system for problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to reduce wear. They may also alter the thermostat or change the air filter. In certain instances, the heat exchanger could require replacement if it is damaged or cracked.
The cost of replacing or repairing the heat exchanger that’s defective can be extremely costly. It is a crucial component which heats the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or leaks it can lead to a carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.
If you hear any strange or unsettling sounds from your furnace, you should contact a repair technician. The sounds of your furnace like squeaking or banging could be indicative of a serious issue that could affect the efficiency of heating.
A professional with experience can identify the issue and arrange your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. In addition they are likely to offer the warranty on their work to ensure your peace of peace of. If you try to fix the issue yourself, you could void the warranty and be responsible for any damage or injury that occurs due to your DIY efforts.