How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair
When your furnace at home is experiencing problems, it can be inconvenient and even dangerous. However, there are several things to look for to ensure that your heating system is operating correctly.
Ask your friends, family members and colleagues for suggestions of furnace repair companies that they have used before. They can provide valuable information regarding the company’s services as well as customer experience.
1. Check Your Filters
If you’ve noticed your furnace is operating more frequently than usual or you’ve been hearing strange sounds it’s an opportunity to conduct a check. If you haven’t replaced your filter in awhile and it’s clogged, it could be and causing problems with airflow, which could cause the system to overwork itself. If you don’t examine it, it could cause high costs and even damage to the unit.
The process of changing your filter is a straightforward task that can help maintain healthy air quality within your home, cut down on energy costs and extend the life of your system. It’s recommended, on average, to change your filter each month and make sure it is the right size for the unit. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the edge of your current filter. Simply take a measurement to get an accurate reading. Keep an extra furnace filter in your bag so that you can change it if yours gets dirty.
Before contacting an expert, examine your filters to determine if they’re 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 that the filter isn’t doing its job properly.
Also, make sure that the safety switch on your furnace is switched on and that the door on the bottom is secured to the frame. If you don’t do this, the system won’t function. There could be some unusual symptoms such as an overheated unit or the fan reversing back to cool air rather than heating it up.
Another thing to think about is that your furnace’s age could be an element. A furnace that is older will require more repairs and will operate less efficiently. This is due to parts such as the blower belt or ball bearings that wear out. It’s a good idea seek out an experienced professional to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your system.
2. Check Your Thermostat
If you notice that you have to crank up the thermostat higher than you used to to achieve the same heat level or that it takes longer to heat your home, your air filter may need to be replaced. Over time, dirty filters may force your furnace to perform more than it should.
If your furnace makes strange noises that it hasn’t heard before, you must call for repair service. The sound of squeaking or banging, along with scraping, can indicate serious problems. A technician should be contacted immediately.
Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your cooling and heating system to ensure that they are operating correctly. If your thermostat’s wires have not properly connected or have become disconnected, this could be a sign of a problem. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, first shut off power to the thermostat with your breaker box. Remove the thermostat cover with a screwdriver, and then check the wiring. Locate the white and red (standard colors for heat and power) wires and make sure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. Reattach the wires in case they appear loose and switch the breaker off.
You can check the screen of your thermostat to see whether it’s functioning properly after you have reconnected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank or doesn’t show any data at all the thermostat has lost power and isn’t able to communicate with your heater.
If this is the situation then you can determine if your thermostat is not working properly by attaching 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 is higher than the one on the thermometer, it could indicate a problem with the thermostat itself. If the readings are identical the thermostat is functioning properly.
3. Check Your Circuit Breaker
Furnaces are powered by electricity, and any problems that prevent them from getting the power they need could be dangerous. It’s a great idea to reset your furnace the first time it hits the breaker and see whether it can be fixed. However, if it keeps happening, you should address the issue right away. This is especially true if the breaker trips repeatedly. This indicates a bigger issue.
There are several common reasons that your circuit breaker may trip. Most of them are simple to fix. One reason is a dirty or dirty air filter, which can hinder airflow and cause the system to overheat. Air ducts that are blocked can limit airflow. Be sure to change your air filter regularly, and make sure that furniture or other items aren’t blocking air vents.
Check to see if your furnace does not share a circuit with high-demand appliances such as power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker is tripped frequently it’s an indication that there is not enough power available and they need to be given their own circuit.
Another reason your breaker may not be working is a loose wire. This can happen if the wire becomes hot and creates an electrical surge which can overheat the furnace. This is the reason it’s crucial to check for any loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. If you spot any, it’s a good idea to get a professional to examine the wires.
Sometimes the issue may not have anything to have to do with your furnace in any way and could be that your electrical panel requires a repair. This is a job for an electrician, and should not be attempted by homeowners without the right experience.
4. Check Your Ductwork
Leaks, leaking sections, and other problems can limit the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms, extreme temperatures between floors and musty smells. These are all signs that you need to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.
The most common issue is leaks, however dirt and debris can cause ductwork to become blocked and hinder airflow. This is particularly dangerous when your ducts are situated close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility that can occur.
Review the work history of any repair service before you contact them. You can typically find this information on their website, or ask the service provider when you schedule an appointment. You will be more likely to obtain the knowledge you require when you select a company with many years of experience.
A qualified 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 grease moving parts to decrease wear. They may also adjust the thermostat or change the air filter. In some instances, the heat exchanger could need to be replaced when it has been damaged or cracked.
The cost of replacing or repairing the heat exchanger that’s damaged can be quite high. It is an essential part that heats the air in your home prior to it circulates. If the heat exchanger is cracked or leaks, it can lead to an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.
Contact a professional if you hear any strange or strange sounds emanating from your furnace. The sounds coming from your furnace like squeaking or banging could be a sign of a serious issue that could compromise the heating capabilities of your furnace.
A reliable technician will be able to detect the issue and arrange your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. They’ll also likely provide a warranty on their work, which gives you peace of peace of. It is possible to void the warranty if you attempt to fix the problem yourself. You may also be liable for any injuries or damages that occur as a result.