Furnaces need service to help keep them safe and running properly. Observing small problems like squealing noises or higher heating bills can alert you to call for professional repair before more costly issues occur.
Before a technician begins working, they should make sure the power to the system is turned off. Look for a fuse or breaker near the furnace at the main electrical entrance panel. Keep reading the article below to learn more about BEST HVAC COMPANIES IN CINCINNATI.
The warm whoosh of a furnace running is a familiar sound that signals that your home is staying toasty. If that sound isn’t present, the problem could be a number of things ranging from dirt on the burners to a cracked heat exchanger. Whatever the case, the solution is to call a local heating contractor for repairs.
Whether your furnace uses a traditional pilot light or an electronic ignition system, the burners are essential for mixing air with gas to create the combustion that produces your home’s heating. If you’re seeing the burners flicker or glow orange instead of blue, they’re clogged with soot and need to be cleaned.
When a furnace’s burners become dirty, it can affect the overall heating capacity of the system, especially in colder temperatures when the system needs to run harder to keep your State College home warm. The good news is that this isn’t difficult to resolve for most heating technicians. A professional will shut off your heating system and then use a compressed air canister to blow out the visible debris in the burner compartment before carefully removing the burners for cleaning.
Once the burners are clean, they can be reassembled and tested. If a problem remains, the technician may need to check a safety sensor that keeps unburned gas from flooding the combustion chamber. If this has become coated in grime or is faulty, it will shut off the gas supply even if the flames are still lit, leaving your house without any heat.
Your furnace’s blower motor and fan are also prone to becoming clogged with dirt and dust. This can interfere with the ability of the system to draw air through its return ducts, so the technician will clear out any dirt on these components as well as the heat exchanger using special tools. Ideally, the majority of these repairs will be completed during annual maintenance, which also includes a comprehensive inspection and testing of the system to ensure that everything is working correctly. This is the best way to avoid major issues that require urgent repairs.
Thermostat
Whether your system is electric or gas-powered, it needs to have the right parts in order to function properly. Among these vital components is the thermostat, which sends signals to your HVAC system based on the temperature it detects in different areas of your home. This is how your system knows when to turn on or off, and it’s essential for your comfort and energy efficiency. Fortunately, you can take several preventive measures to prolong the lifespan of your furnace’s thermostat.
First, ensure that your heater has power by checking the fuse box. A blown fuse or tripped breaker can throw off your furnace’s electrical connections. To fix this issue, replace the blown fuse or switch the breaker to the “on” position.
It is also possible that your heater has a problem with the flame sensor, which senses if there’s a flame and shuts down to avoid safety risks. A professional can clean or replace the flame sensor to help your furnace work safely.
Another common issue is airflow problems, which may cause your furnace to overheat or not produce enough heat. To fix this, make sure that your blower motor isn’t broken or stuck. Also check to see if your vents are blocked, and if so, make sure they’re open.
You can also test your heating system’s battery, which is a common culprit for many furnace malfunctions. By using a multimeter, set it to 50 VAC and touch one probe to the thermostat screw heads, then the other to a terminal on the furnace access panel. If no current is detected, your thermostat has a dead battery, and you’ll need to replace it.
Ultimately, regular maintenance is the best way to keep your furnace in good shape for as long as possible. Cleaning or replacing your air filter monthly during heavy use is a must, as well as vacuuming and cleaning your vents and registers to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Additionally, it’s a good idea to replace your furnace’s batteries every year and inspect the gas valve for problems. If the system’s parts are nearing the end of their lifespan, you’ll need to weigh your options and determine if investing in a full replacement is the best option for you.
Blower Motor
The blower motor is a critical component of the furnace that moves and circulates warm air throughout your home. If the blower motor experiences any problems it could cause the other components of your system to overheat or experience a complete failure. This is one of the most important furnace repairs to make in order to keep your heating system running properly.
Noises like buzzing, rattling, or screeching indicate a problem with the blower. These sounds are usually caused by loose blower components and are a major safety hazard if they continue to occur. If you notice these signs, shut off the power to your furnace by flipping the switch at your electrical box. Then, open your furnace vents and make sure there is no blockage that would be inhibiting the flow of air. You can also open the vents around your house to make sure there is no dust accumulation that would be causing this.
If the odor of burning plastic or smoke is coming from your vents, it may be an indication that the blower motor has overheated. This is a serious problem and should be addressed immediately by calling Thermo Direct.
A major part of furnace repair is making sure the blower motor is properly lubricated. Adding the correct amount of machine oil will ensure it doesn’t overheat or wear down prematurely. The technician will clean the blower motor and fan, remove the blower shaft bearings, and add a few drops of machine oil to them.
The technician will test the motor and fan speed to determine whether they are functioning properly. They will also inspect the flame sensor to make sure it is not coated in any residue that can prevent it from sensing your burner flame correctly. After the blower motor is in good condition, the technician will perform a startup cycle. This involves turning your furnace off and on several times to ensure there are no problems that could indicate a potential system failure. The technician will then test the amp draw of the blower to determine if it is drawing too much or too little power.
Pressure Switch
The pressure switch is one of the safety mechanisms that your furnace relies on to operate safely. It is designed to open when the inducer motor creates suction or negative pressure and close when that suction or negative pressure is removed. It’s a good idea to inspect this component regularly to make sure it works as intended. A faulty switch may indicate that your furnace isn’t producing heat or blowing air, and it’s likely time for a replacement.
Aside from visual inspections, there are some things that you can do on your own to troubleshoot and fix the pressure switch. First, ensure that the power to your furnace is turned off. It is also a good idea to turn off your gas valve, too, as this can help prevent accidental exposure to carbon monoxide (CO).
If the pressure switch is faulty or if it has failed to open or close properly, you’ll need to perform a continuity test on it using a multimeter. Place the multimeter probes on the two electrical terminals of the switch. With the inducer motor off and no suction on the switch, the multimeter should show an open circuit (no continuity or a very high resistance). Next, remove the wires and rubber hose from the switch and connect them to your meter. Now, apply and release suction to simulate the opening/closing behavior of the pressure switch. If the switch fails to revert back to an open state when you apply suction, it is defective and needs to be replaced.
Clogged hose ports and cracked rubber tubes are common causes of pressure switches failing, so be sure to check these regularly to keep them functioning properly. Surges and other electrical phenomena can also overload the pressure switch alongside other components, triggering failures. Loose connections can also cause problems with this part.
Major furnace repairs can be expensive and require a lot of manual labor and skill. However, if you have specific problem areas that are severely limiting or inhibiting your system’s performance, it might be worth investing in a repair service. These services can address individual parts of the furnace to improve your overall system. They’ll help you save money on energy and ensure that your furnace will continue to run efficiently throughout the winter.