Must-Know Furnace Repair Tips For Homeowners
Every homeowner should have some furnace repair tips on hand. For example, homeowners should be aware that the best time to have your furnace checked and repaired is at the end of summer or in the early fall. This way, you can count on your heating system when a cold snap hits, usually, a time when most malfunctioning furnaces tend to break down.
Your heating system is probably the last thing you would worry about during the warm months. However, keep in mind that its performance will keep your home comfortable and safe during the long, cold months.
A basic checkup can help identify potential problems in time and get them fixed before winter. This is especially important if you have an older system or if your furnace was overworked during the previous winter.
In this article, we discuss some of the common signs that indicate the need for a furnace repair. We also discuss some troubleshooting tips that you can use if you believe that your furnace is not working correctly. Lastly, we cover some tips that you can use when searching for a furnace repair company in your area.
Signs That You Need A Furnace Repair
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While the number of years your furnace has been in service is a factor, it is not necessarily the only reason why you might require furnace repair. Even a reasonably new system might succumb to damage or neglect. To help you determine whether or not a furnace repair is necessary, here are signs to watch out for.
Uncomfortable House
If the house is either too cold or too hot, something is not quite right with your furnace. Worn components, a loose belt, a damaged fan motor, a clogged filter, and a host of other problems could contribute to improper functioning.
High Energy Costs
A furnace that is working normally should be efficient, and this should show in its energy consumption. If a spike in the use of energy is observed without any reasonable explanation, it may be a good time to call a licensed HVAC technician for a proper inspection.
Hot/Cold Spots
Uneven cooling is often the result of damage, clogging, or wear and tear. Efficient HVAC systems should be able to heat or cool an area evenly. If there are spots in your home that are colder or warmer, have your heating appliance checked immediately.
Gas Leakage
If you smell gas or fuel anywhere near your furnace, turn off the heating system immediately and get in touch with your local HVAC company. Never allow your furnace to keep running when a leakage is detected. Even a tiny spark could put your home at risk of a fire.
How To Troubleshoot Your Furnace
Not every type of heating system problem requires the attention of a professional. In fact, a homeowner can perform simple, basic fixes and preventive procedures to keep the system running efficiently. Here are some basic troubleshooting steps you can do.
- Furnace Filter Check: Clogged filters prevent efficient airflow and affect the quality of indoor air. Severely clogged filters can even lead to early breakdowns and increase the risk of fire. To avoid problems, check the filter once every month. If it is clogged, clean it or have it replaced.
- Thermostat Check: Replace the thermostat batteries periodically and check for dust and dirt. You could remove any debris from the unit using a soft, dry cloth or a soft brush.
- Power Check: From time to time, check the switch and electrical panel. If the system is not working, it may be because the switch or electrical breaker was turned off. Check for discolored, damaged, or melted fuses inside the fuse box and have them replaced with fresh ones.
- Pilot Light Check: Make sure that the pilot light is on and check the furnace flame as well. If you have to relight it, read the owner’s manual first, and follow the instructions. Check for a gas smell or leakage before relighting. If you detect a leak, turn off the system and call your HVAC service company immediately.
- Vent Check: Visually check all vents and registers to see if they are open. The furnace will not heat up the room efficiently if these are closed and obstructed. Move any objects that are blocking or restricting airflow to the vents.
Common Furnace Repairs You May Run Into
Some of the most common furnace repair jobs you could expect when your heating system malfunctions include:
- Damaged or Loose Blower Belt Replacement: A furnace with a damaged blower belt will often emit a high-pitched squealing noise. This will often require a checkup and replacement to get your furnace up and running again.
- Worn Ball Bearings Replacement: When turned on, the furnace will make a scraping sound, which may indicate worn-out bearings that have to be replaced. Should this happen, call an HVAC technician immediately.
- Frequent Cycling: If the furnace turns on and off frequently, there may be a problem with the thermostat or filter, or the airflow may be blocked. If troubleshooting will not fix the problem, call a professional.
- Yellowish Or Flickering Pilot Light: The pilot light should burn a blue flame with a slightly yellow tip. If the light is flickering or is predominantly yellow, it could indicate a high level of carbon monoxide in a gas furnace. Call for repairs immediately.
- Damaged Heat Exchanger: If you notice a strange smell in your house or around the furnace, there may be a leak caused by a cracked or damaged heat exchanger. Watch out for other signs as well, such as the presence of soot, cracks, and corrosion.
When To Repair Vs. Replace Your Furnace
Sometimes, a problem with your furnace can be resolved effectively by repairs. However, you might want to consider getting your unit replaced if any of the following scenarios are present.
- Age: If your system is at least 18 years old and has been used regularly.
- Energy Efficiency: If your heating bills have been rising significantly over the past few years in spite of repairs and maintenance.
- Poor Performance: Your heating system is unable to perform effectively. You may notice hot or cold spots throughout your home.
- Frequent Repairs: If the cost of repairs is 50% or over the cost of a replacement, go with the replacement.
Top Tips For Choosing A Furnace Repair Service Company
It is a great feeling when you find a good HVAC repair company. When you know that there is a company you can trust when things go wrong, it gives you peace of mind. Everything can go back to normal without any further damage being caused. Having a trustworthy furnace repair service can also limit the inconvenience that a breakdown can cause.
The only problem is that finding a reputable company is not as easy as it sounds.
At one point or another, most homeowners will have a bad experience with a company. The tech might show up late, or they might not show up at all. The tech could fail to find the problem while causing more damage in the process.
If you are looking for a company that you can trust, there are a few tips that you can follow. Below, we discuss these pointers so that you can find a reputable service company in your area.
Look For A Specialist Heating Company
When you are looking for someone to fix your furnace, you should be looking for a company rather than a furnace repairman. You should also look into companies that specialize specifically in heaters. Doing so will be beneficial in a few ways.
First, you will have someone on call who is highly knowledgeable when it comes to furnaces. They will likely have experience with many brands and models. Therefore, they won’t be caught off guard or surprised when they inspect your furnace.
If you work with a company rather than an individual, you can work with multiple techs. If one tech cannot solve the problem, another tech in the company might be able to. Hiring a reputable company may cost you a bit more money than immediately going for cheap furnace repair. However, you will have peace of mind which is priceless. Also, you won’t have to pay twice for the same repair.
HVAC Company: Check The Website & Reviews
First impressions aren’t always accurate; however, they can be a good starting point. If you want to be sure that you are choosing the best furnace repair company, you should check out their website. This is a great way to get a general feel for the company. If the website looks professional with high production value, it makes the company look good. If the site looks dated and doesn’t provide much information, it is a red flag.
You should also check out their reviews and see what other customers have to say. Where they quick to respond? Where they professional? Where they friendly and knowledgeable? Each of these questions can be answered by reading customer reviews. Some companies will have customer reviews on their website. While these can be helpful, you should understand that since the company runs the site, they can control what is on it.
If you want to read real reviews both good and bad, you can check on Google and other platforms that provide this type of information. Each of these sites allows former customers to write reviews and the companies being reviewed have no control over what is posted. This is the best way to get a true review of a company.
You can use search terms such as “furnace repair near my location” or “gas furnace repair near me” to find a reputable HVAC company in your area.
Reach Out To The Heating Repair Company
If you are considering hiring a particular company, you should give them a call to talk on the phone.
Speaking to a live person can help you get an idea of their values and their principals. If the person on the other end of the line sounds knowledgeable, eager, and happy to help, you should be in good hands. On the other hand, if they seem disinterested, annoyed, or confused, it can leave a bad feeling.
After the call, go with your instinct. If you felt a connection on the phone, you can give the company a chance.
Call Point Bay Fuel For All Of Your Furnace Repair Requirements
It is important that you hire a skilled, highly-trained tech to repair your heating system. HVAC repair should never be a DIY project. You need a tech who can understand your system and then repair it properly. Since all HVAC companies don’t perform the same quality of work, you need to find the right one.
If you are in search of a good furnace repair company, give Point Bay Fuel a call. We’ll be happy to discuss your problem with a free, no-obligation, in-home consultation.
Point Bay Fuel hires only NATE certified technicians. We provide HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements. Each of our techs has the knowledge and experience to fix your HVAC system correctly. We guarantee the most competitive furnace repair cost in the area. If you need a replacement system, we can recommend the best one for your home while staying within your budget. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today for a free, in-home estimate.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!