How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair

It can be frustrating and even dangerous if the furnace fails to function properly. There are a variety of things to look for to make sure that your heating system is operating properly.

Request recommendations from your family, friends and colleagues about furnace repair companies they’ve used in the past. They can provide valuable feedback on the company and the services it provides.

1. Check Your Filters

If your furnace is running more frequently than usual or you’ve been hearing strange noises, it might be the time to do a quick inspection. If you haven’t replaced your filter for some time, it may be blocked, causing airflow problems, which could cause the system to overload itself. If you don’t take the time to check it, it could cause high costs and even damage to the unit.

Changing your filter is an easy task that can help maintain the health of your air in your home, save on energy costs and prolong the life of your system. It’s generally a good idea to change your filter each month and make sure it’s the correct size for your system. You can find the dimensions of your furnace on one of the edges your current filter. Simply measure it to get a precise reading. It’s important to keep an extra filter in your inventory to switch it out if the one you have is dirty.

Before contacting a professional, you should check your filters to see if they’re the right size and to ensure that they’re clean. If you notice a lot of dust on your furniture or surfaces, it’s a sign that the filter isn’t doing its job properly.

Also, be sure the bottom door of your furnace is securely over the frame and that the safety switch is turned on. If you don’t do this, the system will not operate. You may also experience strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit, or the fan reversing back to cool air, rather than heating it up.

The age of your furnace could be another factor. A furnace that is older is likely to require repairs, and will operate less efficiently. This is due to the components like the blower belt or ball bearings aging out. Contacting a professional can assist you in determining the best time to replace your new system.

2. Check Your Thermostat

If you’ve noticed you’re turning up your thermostat to achieve the same amount of heat that you used to or that it takes longer for your home to reach the desired temperature, this may indicate that your air filter is in need of replacing. Filters that are dirty can cause your furnace to perform more efficiently over time.

If your furnace is making strange noises it hasn’t experienced before, it is time to call for repair service. Scraping, squeaking and banging could all be signs of serious problems that require immediate attention from a skilled technician.

Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your cooling and heating systems to ensure they’re operating properly. This could be a significant issue if the wiring of your thermostat isn’t connected correctly or has been disconnected. If you notice that your thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, first shut off power to the thermostat with your breaker box. Take off the thermostat cover using a screwdriver and check 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. If the wires appear to be loose, reconnect them and switch the breaker off.

You can examine the screen of your thermostat to determine 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 information at all, your thermostat has lost power and is not able to communicate with your heater.

If this is the situation, you can test to determine if your thermostat is faulty by taping a piece of paper towel to the wall next to it and then placing an ordinary thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, check both the thermometer in your home and the thermostat. If your thermostat shows more heat than the thermometer, there could be an issue. If the readings are similar the thermostat is probably functioning correctly.

3. Check Your Circuit Breaker

Furnaces are powered by electricity, and any issue that blocks them from receiving the power they require could be dangerous. When your furnace goes off the breaker it’s recommended to reset it and see whether the issue disappears by itself. If it’s still happening, you should fix the issue immediately. This is especially true when the breaker is constantly tripping. It could indicate a larger issue.

There are a few typical reasons why your circuit breaker could stop working, and the majority of them are fairly simple to repair. One of the most frequent causes is a dirty filter which can block airflow, which causes the system to overheat. Another is clogged air ducts, which could also hinder airflow. Make sure to change your air filters regularly and ensure that no furniture or other objects block air vents.

Check to see if your furnace does not share an electrical circuit with appliances that are in high demand such as power tools and your refrigerator. If the breaker keeps being reset, this is an indication that they are not receiving enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.

Another reason your breaker might keep tripping is a wire that is loose. This can happen when a wire gets hot, and causes an electrical surge that can overheat your furnace. This is the reason it’s crucial to look for loose wires in your electrical panel on a regular basis. It’s recommended to have a professional inspect the panel for any.

Sometimes the issue isn’t to have to do with your furnace in any way and could be that your electrical panel requires a repair. This is a task that should be handled by an electrician.

4. Check Your Ductwork

Leaks, broken 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 indications that you need to upgrade your ductwork system 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 dangerous if your ducts are located close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility that can occur.

Check out the work history of any repair company before you call them. You can usually find the information on their website or talk to the repair company when you schedule an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the knowledge that you need.

A skilled furnace technician will examine the heat exchanger, as well as other components of your system for problems. They will clean and grease moving parts to minimize wear. They may also alter the thermostat or replace the air filter. In some instances the heat exchanger may require replacement if it is cracked or damaged.

A damaged heat exchanger is among the most expensive parts in your system to fix or replace. It is an essential component that is responsible for heating the air in your home prior to it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or is leaking it can lead to an emission of carbon monoxide that requires immediate attention.

If you hear any strange or unsettling sounds from your furnace, it’s time to contact a repair technician. Squeaking, scraping, banging and hissing are all signs of serious issues that could affect your heating functionality.

A technician with a great reputation will be able detect the issue and arrange your furnace repair near me swiftly. They may also offer a guarantee on their work, thereby giving you peace of peace of. If you attempt to fix the problem yourself, you could invalidate the warranty and be responsible for any injury or damage that may occur as a result of your DIY efforts.