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Homeowners must be equipped with at least a few furnace repair tips under their belt. This includes knowing that fall is the best time to complete your furnace maintenance checklist. This way, you are prepared when the cold season arrives. You won’t feel any worries as you can be sure you’ll have a furnace in excellent working condition when you need it the most.
Your comfort and safety during the winter should be a top priority. Therefore, you need to make sure that your furnace is at optimum performance as early as you can. Basic maintenance checks will identify all developing problems early so that they are resolved early as well.
This article covers a few of the usual indicators that your furnace is up for repair. It also includes a few must-know repair tips you can utilize when your furnace isn’t working as it should. Additionally, we discuss how you can find the most suitable HVAC repair company near you.
When Do You Need Furnace Repair?
How long your furnace has been providing your home with heat is a factor. However, it isn’t the only factor. Even a relatively new heater might need repairs due to negligence or damage. So, when do you call for furnace repairs? Here are a few signs to look out for:
- Increase In Heating Bills: A furnace in good working condition is efficient. This means it consumes less energy, which is reflected in your monthly heating bills. Gradual or sudden spikes in your heating costs without reasonable explanations point to decreased efficiency. Call a licensed HVAC tech for a tune-up.
- Temperature Swings: A house that gets too hot or too cold might be a sign that your furnace has faulty components. It could be a damaged belt or fan motor, dirty air filter, and worn out parts, to name a few.
- Hot Or Cold Spots: Uneven heating points to parts of your system experiencing damage, wear and tear, and clogging. If you notice areas that are warmer or colder around your home, get your heating unit checked right away.
- Gas Leak: Switch off your heating appliance the moment you smell gas around your furnace. Leaks increase the risk of fire. Therefore, contact your local HVAC contractor as soon as possible.
Furnace Troubleshooting
Not all heater problems need professional attention. Some basic fixes can be done even by a homeowner. Here are a few of them:
- Clean/Replace Filter: Dirty filters result in low indoor air quality. It can also cause wear and tear, premature breakdown, and increase fire risk. Inspect the furnace filters at least once a month. Clean washable filters and replace disposable ones.
- Change The Batteries In The Thermostat: The thermostat batteries should be replaced from time to time. Clean off any dust and debris with a soft and dry cloth or brush as well.
- Check The Electrical Switch: Check the switch and electrical panel to ensure that they are turned on. Also, check the fuse box and replace all melted, damaged, or discolored fuses.
- Check The Pilot Light: Relight the furnace flame and pilot light if they are off. Ensure that you have read and understood the owner’s manual on how to do it. Follow the instructions carefully. If you smell gas near the furnace, turn it off and contact an HVAC contractor at once.
- Remove Vent Obstructions: All the registers and vents must be kept open. Otherwise, the furnace won’t be able to operate efficiently. Remove anything that is obstructing the vents as well, such as furniture and houseplants. These can restrict airflow and affect furnace efficiency.
Common Furnace Issues
Listed below are several of the most common furnace problems you can expect to run into down the line:
- Worn Out Bearings: Hearing a scraping sound when you turn on the furnace might be due to worn ball bearings. These need to be replaced by a furnace repairer right away.
- Damaged Blower Belt: If it’s a high-pitched squealing noise, then the blower belt might be damaged. This should be correctly diagnosed and resolved by an HVAC tech.
- Short Cycling: If your furnace keeps turning on and off frequently while your house remains uncomfortable, you might have a short cycling problem in your hands. Call an HVAC expert to determine the cause and fix it accordingly.
- Yellow Pilot Light: A normal pilot light is blue with a small yellow tip. A yellow and flickering one can point to a high carbon monoxide level in the furnace. Get an HVAC tech to check your heating unit as soon as possible.
- Cracked Heat Exchanger: Unusual smell, soot, corrosion, and cracks indicate that the furnace might have a cracked heat exchanger. Call for repairs immediately.
Determining If You Need Furnace Replacement
Not all problems can be effectively solved by repairs. There are times that the unit needs to be replaced. For instance, a system that is over 18 years old and has been in constant use. Another situation is if you have a system that hasn’t been energy efficient for a while now, even if it receives repairs and tune-ups. This is noticeable with heating bills that have been steadily increasing over the years. The operational efficiencies of your system might also be continuously deteriorating. You’ll notice hot and cold spots despite proper maintenance. If you also have to spend more than half the cost of buying a replacement with repairs, get a replacement system instead.
Guide To Choosing The Right HVAC Service Company
Although it might sound easy, finding a trustworthy HVAC company is not as simple. Homeowners typically have at least one unpleasant experience with a company. This might be a late or no-show tech or one who only caused more harm than good to your unit during the repair process.
A top-quality HVAC company should assure you that your furnace is in good hands with them. If you are searching for a reputable furnace repair company in your area, we have included a few steps you can take to ensure you have the right one. They are as follows:
Look A Company Specializing In Heating
Search for a company instead of an individual HVAC tech. Make sure that the company specializes in heating systems. This way, you have an expert on call who knows their way around all brands, make, and model of furnaces. They will come well-prepared and have the know-how with all types of heating systems.
Hiring a company also allows you to work with several HVAC experts. Therefore, if one cannot resolve the issue, another one from the company might. It also means you don’t have to pay twice to resolve the same problem. Although it might be pricier to go for a reputable company rather than a cheap repairer, the assurance you’ll get that you are in good hands is priceless.
Investigate The Company Via Its Website And Reviews
The website is a good starting point when looking into the HVAC company. It can either provide you with a good first impression or set off red flags. The website should be professional-looking and has a high production value. Be cautious if the website is out-of-date and the necessary information is missing.
Another thing to check is the reviews. These will help you assess the company further. It lets you know how other customers found their service. You also get to find out how long they respond, and if they are friendly, knowledgeable, and professional, among others. However, you should also know that because the company owns the website, they control which reviews get posted on it.
Go to Google and check out other service review websites if you are looking for real reviews, whether good or bad. Companies cannot control what gets posted in these, so this is the way to go if you want to get a real grasp of what the company is like from previous customers. Search for “gas furnace repairs in my location” or “furnace repair company near me” to see a list of the reputable furnace repair service company in your area.
Call The HVAC Repair Company
Before you hire a company, give them a call so you can talk to a live person on the phone. This gives you an idea of the company values. It is a good sign if the company representative at the other end of the call sounds knowledgeable and eager to help. If they sound disinterested and confused, you might consider finding another one.
Call Tevis Energy For All Of Your Furnace Repair Requirements
A highly skilled and trained furnace repair technician is vital in ensuring your system is back in excellent working condition. This is because they have the necessary understanding of all kinds of HVAC systems to service it properly. It is also recommended that you find the right one as not all HVAC companies deliver the same service quality.
Do not hesitate to contact Tevis Energy when looking for a high-quality heating service company in central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. Our company has professionally certified technicians who can provide HVAC services. We specialize in heating and cooling repairs, maintenance, installations, replacements, and more. Tevis Energy offers the most competitive rates in the area. Our experienced and knowledgeable techs can also help you find the best HVAC replacement system within your budget.
Schedule a service appointment with us today. We’ll be happy to discuss all your furnace issues with a free, no-obligation, in-home consultation.
You can click here to contact us now or call us at (410) 876-6800 to find out more!
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