A last minute furnace repair could be a huge inconvenience. Make sure your heating system is always in good shape with regular maintenance, immediate repairs, and scheduled tune-ups. There’s no better way to make sure your home is warm and cozy during those cold winter months.
Furnace Repairs
Common Problems Associated With the Furnace
Any time you notice even a small issue with your furnace, it’s important to contact the professionals for furnace repairs and tune-ups. Leaving the problem for later could result in a system that doesn’t work and a cold house for too long during the winter. The following are some common problems you could watch for:
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- Dirty Filters – If your filters are full of dirt, the entire system will become less efficient. As the furnace runs, it pulls dirt and dust from the air and catches it in the filter. If the air is not able to flow smoothly through the filter because there’s too much dirt, the engine will begin to work harder. This puts undue stress on other parts of the machine, which could lead to a breakdown.
- Running Blower – Your blower should only run when the heater is turned on and pumping heat into the house. If you hear that it is constantly running, you may have a damaged limit switch, and possibly a number of other repairable problems.
- Malfunctioning Thermostat – One of the first things to look at if your furnace is not working is the thermostat. If it’s not communicating properly with the heating unit, or if it doesn’t detect the temperature correctly, your home could get too hot or too cold. Try checking the batteries. If they are still working, contact someone to take a look at it.
- Unexplained Noises – Your furnace shouldn’t make too much noise. As a homeowner, you’ll know what is normal and what is not. If you hear something squeaking or rattling, there are multiple airflow or mechanical problems that could be plaguing the system and should be checked out.
- No Heat – Sometimes there is something wrong with the heating element itself, which might cause cool or lukewarm air to come out of your vents. Additionally, this could be the result of a furnace that is not equipped to handle the amount of space it is supposed to heat.
Furnace Repairs
Why It’s Important to Have the Problems Repaired
It’s obvious that repairing your heating system will keep it functioning correctly, but there are some other important reasons to make sure it is in good repair at all times. First, you avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Often, a tune-up will include a professional checking for improper ventilation or gas pressure, combustion chamber cracks, safety device malfunctions, and insufficient airflow. Simply having the filter changed is another way to reduce the risk.
Second, it will keep the warranty valid. Many warranties that come with furnaces include required maintenance and repairs within a certain amount of time. If you wait to have the repairs taken care of and don’t complete regular maintenance, it could void the warranty all together. This leaves you in a tough situation when something more serious happens with the system and you end up having to pay for it.
Third, your energy bills will remain low and steady. If you are comfortable paying the amount that you pay each month for energy bills, you are in for a surprise if the system becomes inefficient. Even a dirty filter can cause the machine to work overtime, which results in higher costs. Your gas and electricity bills will both rise because most heating systems use both.
Furnace Repairs
What You Can Do
It may feel a little overwhelming to think about all that can go wrong with your heater, but there is a lot that can go right if you make it a priority. The following are some ideas that will help you keep your furnace running efficiently when you need it to.
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Change the Filters – As was previously mentioned, your filters will collect a lot of dirt. Find out which filters your system uses and keep some in storage. That way, you will always have one on hand when the month is over. Set a schedule for changing them each month and stick to it.
- Complete Regular Maintenance – Even if there’s no problem that you know of, it’s important to schedule regular maintenance and tune-ups. The hope is for the technician to simply grease a few spots, replace the filter, and be on his way, but it’s possible that other problems may be found. If so, it’s great news to know it was caught before it became a bigger problem.
- Decide Whether to Repair or Replace – If your system breaks down, speak to the heating repair company about the best course of action to take. Depending on the issue and the age of your furnace, you may want to consider a replacement. In other situations, a repair could be your best and most cost efficient option. A new system will lower your energy bills, but your old system may not be so old that it needs a replacement quite yet. Carefully weigh your options and decide what is best for your situation.
- Leave It to the Professionals – You may be tempted to complete the furnace repairs and tune-ups on your own, but it’s better left to the professionals. They have the tools, parts, knowledge, and expertise it takes to ensure it gets done correctly and in a timely manner.
Furnace Repairs
How to Get Started
If you have already identified an issue with your furnace, you can get started by contacting your local heating repair company. Let them know what you’re experiencing with the furnace and schedule a time for them to come take a look at it.
If you don’t have any problems, it’s still a great time to contact someone who handles furnace repair so you can schedule a maintenance visit. Not only will it lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, keep your warranty valid, and keep your energy bills low, it will offer you peace of mind that when you wake up tomorrow morning, it will still be warm and cozy.
