Denver can be a bit cold in the winter, and the last thing you need is for your furnace to stop working during those times. Keeping your furnace functioning well should be among your top priorities when maintaining your home. After all, a failing furnace when the snow is falling outside is worse without heat. When that happens, you need a prompt service for furnace repair in Denver.
Like many other home appliances, furnace problems happen when you don’t expect them and are most inconvenienced by them malfunctioning. But not all breakdowns happen out of the blue. Some furnace problems can be prevented with proper maintenance and if you know how to watch out for signs of impending trouble.
Common Furnace Problems and Repairs
Making sure that your house is warm in the winter is a matter of regular maintenance and knowing when a problem is starting to arise with your furnace. You can start by educating yourself about the most common furnace problems and what to do in case of a need for repairs.
Dirty Ductwork
As days pass, dust and debris can get into the heating ducts. When debris accumulates, it could limit the hot air your furnace delivers within the house. Once you start noticing that your furnace is suddenly not heating the house the way it used to, it’s time to check the ductwork. Often, it needs cleaning. You can prevent such issues from occurring by creating a regular maintenance plan with a trusted technician.
Dirty Filters
Your furnace has various parts that must function properly to work as expected. The filter is one of them. It keeps the air clean and blocks dirt, pollutants, allergens, and other particles. If the filter stops working, your furnace’s ductwork will also have problems. As such, you must regularly replace the filters – at least once every two months or as specified by the manufacturer.
Failing Starting Mechanism
Your home’s furnace has a mechanism designed to jumpstart the heating cycle. The type of starter mechanism depends on what kind of furnace you have. If you have an older model, the starter is a pilot light. Meanwhile, new furnace models typically have electrical ignitions. Whichever it is, both can fail and may need replacement. Your sign to check the starter is when you turn on the furnace, but nothing is happening. If you’re more experienced in home furnaces, you can DIY this. Otherwise, you may need to consult a professional.
Busted Blower Components
Various blower components within your furnace could fail at any given time. When the furnace stops blowing hot air, it’s time to check on one of these components and contact your trusted HVAC technician.
The blower has a set of ball bearings that develop wear and tear due to everyday use. When worn enough, they will fail and affect the furnace’s performance. You must get a new set of bearings to restore your furnace to its old state. The blower belt and capacitor could also break and cause the furnace to malfunction.
Damaged Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is among the most critical parts of your furnace. It comprises heated tubes through which the air is pushed. The air is warmed through the tubes before being pushed into your home. Thus, if this malfunctions, you can expect the entire heating system to fail. Proper maintenance is necessary to ensure that this coil of heated tubes remains in good condition. However, there will be times when these tubes can crack or malfunction. In that case, you must contact a technician.
Noisy Furnace
One of the most common signs that your furnace is starting to malfunction is when you hear unpleasant noises. The noises can range from a squealing sound to a loud clunking. An issue in the blower belt can cause squeaking noises. You should check the ball bearings to see if it’s a scraping noise. If you hear any of these noises, turn off the furnace and have a professional HVAC team check it out.
Troubleshooting a Furnace Problem
While calling an HVAC team is usually the best action when there’s a problem with your home’s furnace, you can also save on cost by troubleshooting simple issues independently. Since diagnosing furnace problems is pretty straightforward, you can do it yourself. There are many online tutorials on resolving simple furnace errors, so you don’t have to call the experts for minor issues. You can also follow the simple tips above to maintain your furnace and solve the problems before they start.
