How to Tell If Your Furnace Needs Repair

It can be frustrating and even dangerous when the furnace fails to function properly. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your heating system works properly.

Ask for referrals from family, friends and colleagues regarding furnace repair companies they have worked with in the past. They can provide valuable feedback about the business and its services.

1. Check Your Filters

It’s time to do an inspection if you’ve noticed that your furnace is operating more than normal, or if you’ve heard strange noises. If you’ve not replaced your filter in a while, it could be clogged, causing airflow problems, which can cause the system to overwork itself. If you don’t take the time to check it, this can lead to high bills and even damage to the system.

Change your filter is a straightforward task that will help maintain healthy air quality in your home, help save on energy costs and prolong the life of your system. It’s typically a good idea to change your filter every month and ensure that it’s the proper size for your system. You can locate the dimensions of your furnace on the outside of your current filter. Simply measure it to get an accurate reading. It is also recommended to keep a spare furnace filter handy to replace it if yours gets dirty.

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

Also, make sure that the bottom door of your furnace is securely over the frame, and that the safety switch is switched on. If not, the system will not function and you could encounter unusual symptoms, including an overheated unit or the fan cycling to cool the air instead of heating it up.

The age of your furnace could be another factor. An older system is likely to need more repairs and perform less efficiently. This is due to components such as the blower belt or ball bearings that wear out. Contacting a professional can help you determine if it’s time for a new system.

2. Check Your Thermostat

If you notice that you are required to crank up the thermostat higher than you did before in order to reach the same temperature level or it takes longer to warm your home, your air filter could require replacement. Over time, dirty filters may cause your furnace to work harder than it should.

If your furnace is making odd noises that it hasn’t made before, it’s an indication to call for repair services. Scraping, squeaking and banging could all be signs of serious issues that require prompt attention from a skilled technician.

Your thermostat is responsible for communicating 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 the thermostat isn’t communicating with your system, turn off the power to the thermostat using your breakers box. Take off the thermostat cover using an screwdriver and examine the wiring. Find the red and white (standard colors for heat and power) wires and make sure they are securely connected to their respective terminals. If the wires appear be loose, reconnect them and switch the breaker back on.

After you’ve connected the wires and turned the breaker on then you should be able to determine if your thermostat is working correctly by looking at its screen. If the screen is blank, or does not show any data whatsoever the thermostat has lost its power and isn’t able to communicate with your heater.

If this is the case you can find out if your thermostat may be faulty by taping a piece of paper towel to the wall near it and then placing an ordinary thermometer on top. After 20 minutes, you can check both the thermometer for your household and thermostat. If your thermostat is showing an increase in temperature than the thermometer, there could be a problem. If the readings are identical the thermostat is probably functioning correctly.

3. Check Your Circuit Breaker

Furnaces rely on electricity to function, so any issues that hinder them from receiving the power they require could be dangerous. It’s a great idea to reset your furnace the first time it trips the breaker, and then see whether it gets resolved. If it persists you must address the problem immediately. This is especially when the breaker keeps going off repeatedly, as this indicates that there’s a larger problem at hand.

There are many common reasons that your circuit breaker could be triggered. Most of them are easy to repair. One of the most common reasons is a dirty filter which can block airflow, which causes the system to overheat. Another reason is clogged air ducts that can also restrict airflow. Be sure to change your air filter on a regular basis and ensure that furniture or other items aren’t blocking air vents.

You may also want to check whether your furnace isn’t sharing a circuit with other appliances that require a lot of power like the power tools or your refrigerator. If the breaker is frequently being tripped, this is an indication that they’re not being given enough power and need to be assigned their own circuit.

A loose wire could cause your breaker’s to trip. This can happen when a wire becomes hot, and causes a surge of electricity which can cause the furnace to overheat. It is essential to inspect your electrical panel regularly for loose wires. If you discover any issues, it’s best to contact an expert to examine the wires.

It is possible that the issue is not at anything with your furnace but rather, your electrical panel requires repair. This is a task which should be left to an electrician.

4. Check Your Ductwork

The ducts that distribute conditioned air throughout your home can develop leaks, disconnected sections, and other issues that can hinder the performance of your home. This can lead to drafty rooms, extreme temperature variances between floors and odors that are musty. These are all indications that you need to upgrade your ductwork system in Findlay, Ohio.

Leaks are the most frequent issue with ductwork, however there is also the possibility of debris and dirt buildup that can block airflow. This is particularly dangerous when your ducts are situated near the furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility that can occur.

Find out the history of work of any repair company prior to when you call them. You will usually find the information on their website or talk to the technician 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 to determine if there are any issues. They will clean and lubricate moving components to reduce wear and tear. They can also replace the air filter or adjust the thermostat when required. In some cases the heat exchanger might require replacement when it has cracked or damaged.

A damaged heat exchanger is among the most expensive components of your system to replace or repair. It is an essential part that heats the air in your home before it circulates. If the heat exchanger has cracked or leaks, it can result in the formation of carbon monoxide, which requires immediate attention.

If you notice any unusual or strange sounds from your furnace, it’s time to contact a repair technician. Scraping, squeaking, and hissing all indicate serious issues that could affect the efficiency of your heating system.

A technician with a good reputation is able to spot the problem and plan your furnace repair near me swiftly. Additionally they are likely to offer a warranty on their work to ensure your peace of assurance. You may void your warranty if you try to fix the issue yourself. You may be held accountable for any injuries or damages that result from.