How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair

When your furnace at home is experiencing issues, it could be frustrating and even dangerous. There are some steps you can take to make sure that your heating system is operating correctly.

Ask your friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations of furnace repair companies they have used before. They may have valuable feedback on the company and its services.

1. Check Your Filters

It’s time to conduct a quick inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is running faster than usual, or if you’ve noticed strange sounds. If you haven’t replaced your filter in awhile and it’s clogged, it could be and causing problems with airflow, which could result in the system overworking itself. This could result in high energy bills and even damage the system itself if left unchecked.

Change your filter is an easy task that can help maintain healthy air quality in your home, save on energy costs and prolong the life of your system. It’s a good idea, on average, to change your filter every month and make sure it’s the correct size for your unit. The dimensions of your furnace are printed along the edges of your current filter; simply take it off to get a precise reading. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra filter on hand so you can swap it out when yours is dirty.

Before calling for an expert, check your filters to see whether they’re in the right size and to ensure that they’re clean. If you notice a lot dust on your furniture or other surfaces, it’s a sign that the filter isn’t doing its job properly.

Also, make sure the safety switch on your furnace is on and that the bottom door is secured to the frame. If it’s not, the system won’t operate and you may be experiencing strange symptoms, such as an overheated unit or the fan running to cool the air instead of heating it up.

Another thing to take into consideration is that your furnace’s age could be a factor. An older system will require more maintenance and will run less efficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt and ball bearings begin to wear down. It’s a good idea to 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 reach the same amount of heat you did previously, or that it takes longer for your home to reach a desired temperature, this may suggest that your air filter is in need of replacing. Over time, dirty filters can cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to.

If your furnace is making odd noises it has never made before, you should also contact a repair service. The sounds of squeaking and banging, along with scraping, could be a sign of serious issues. A technician should be called immediately.

Your thermostat is responsible to communicate with your heating and cooling systems to ensure that they’re operating properly. If your thermostat’s wires have not connected properly or have been disconnected, it could be a problem. If you notice that your thermostat is not communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat by using your breakers box. Remove the thermostat cover with an screwdriver and examine the wiring. Find the red and white (standard colors for heat and power) wires and make sure they are tightly plugged into their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reattach them and turn the breaker off.

You can examine the screen of your thermostat to check if it is working properly after you’ve connected the wires and switched on the breaker. If the screen is blank, or does not display any data whatsoever, your thermostat has lost its power and isn’t able to communicate with your heater.

If this is the situation, you can test to find out if your thermostat may be not working properly by attaching a piece of paper towel to the wall near it, and then putting an ordinary thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, you can check both the thermometer in your home and the thermostat. If the temperature on your thermostat is higher than the one on the thermometer, this could indicate that there is a problem with your 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 problems that prevent them from obtaining the power they need could be a risk. When your furnace goes off the breaker it is a good idea to reset it and check whether the issue disappears on its own. If it continues to be happening, you need to take action immediately. This is true, especially if the breaker trips repeatedly. This indicates a bigger problem.

There are a variety of reasons that your circuit breaker might trip. Most of them are easy to repair. One of them is a dirty air filter that can hinder airflow and cause the system to overheat. Another is clogged air ducts that can also hinder airflow. Make sure to change your air filters frequently and that no furniture or other objects block air vents.

It is also advisable to check whether your furnace isn’t sharing circuits with other appliances that are in high demand, such as appliances that run on electricity or your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently being tripped, it’s an indication that they’re not receiving enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.

Another reason your breaker might be tripping is a wire that is loose. This can happen when a wire is hot, and it creates an electrical surge that could cause your furnace to overheat. It is crucial to check your electrical panel regularly for loose wires. It’s best to get a professional to take a look if you find any.

It is possible that the issue may not have anything to do with any time with your furnace, but rather, your electrical panel requires repair. This is a job that requires an electrician, and should not be attempted by homeowners without the right experience.

4. Check Your Ductwork

Leaks, broken sections and other issues can impede the efficiency of your home. This can result in drafty rooms, extreme temperatures between floors and musty smells. These are all indications to upgrade your ductwork in Findlay, Ohio.

The most frequent issue is leaks, however dirt and debris can clog up ductwork and restrict airflow. This is especially dangerous in the case of ducts that are close to the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning could occur.

Review the work history of any repair service before you call them. It is typically accessible on their website or you can ask the repair service provider about their history and experience when you schedule an appointment. A company with a long history of experience is more likely to have the expertise that you need.

A trained technician will examine the heat exchanger as well as the other components of your furnace for any issues. They will clean and grease moving parts to reduce wear. They can also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat as required. In some instances, the heat exchanger could 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’s an essential part that is responsible for heating the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has a crack or is leaking it could cause a carbon monoxide gas leak that needs immediate attention.

Contact a professional If you notice any odd or strange noises emanating from your furnace. Scraping, squeaking, banging, and hissing all indicate serious issues that could affect the efficiency of your heating system.

A professional with experience will be able to detect the issue and schedule your furnace repair near me quickly and efficiently. Additionally, they will likely offer the warranty on their work to ensure your peace of mind. You may void your warranty if you try to fix the issue yourself. You could also be liable for any injuries or damages that result from.