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Revised:
February 7th, 2024
Has your residential furnace ever broken down unexpectedly? Did you have to wait a long time for a technician to come out and check on your unit? If your answer is yes, it’s because summer and winter are the busiest times of the year in the HVAC world- especially here in Ohio, where the temperatures can have such a wide range.
But what if I told you that you could skip this headache and frustration just by making a single call to your trusted HVAC contractor? That’s right; scheduling your annual tune-up for your residential furnace can ensure your system is equipped to withstand the cold winter weather.
We’ve been in this business for a long time and have seen it all. That’s why we like to make it easy for our customers. When you schedule your furnace tune-up with Fire & Ice, you can also schedule your AC tune-up simultaneously. We also have several maintenance agreements that cover two tune-ups a year, among other perks.
In this article, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions regarding furnace repair and maintenance right here in Columbus, Ohio, including but not limited to:
- Does My Furnace Need a Repair?
- How Often Does a Furnace Need Maintenance?
- What is a Tune-Up?
Let’s dive in!
Does My Furnace Need a Repair?
Losing access to your residential furnace, especially in the dead of winter, can cause unwanted stress. We’ve seen the temperatures in Columbus get all the way into the negatives- and if you’re native to the area, you know this isn’t going to change anytime soon!
Sure, you can put on several layers of clothes and wrap up in a bunch of cozy blankets, but this is only a temporary fix. In the HVAC industry, five tell-tale signs signal a furnace repair. Let’s go over them.
1. Changes In Airflow
Changes in airflow typically occur when a vent or register is partially or fully obstructed. This can be caused by decreased air pressure from the furnace or a blockage within your home's ductwork system.
Side Note: Ductwork can be cleaned; however, it’s best to leave it to an indoor air quality specialist, like we have at Fire & Ice. We encourage you to visit our air duct cleaning services page to understand our process and the importance of timely duct cleaning.
Want to try to fix this issue yourself? There is a preliminary step homeowners can take before seeking professional assistance: First, ask yourself, “When was the last time I changed my furnace filter?” If the answer is several months, or you can't remember, inspect it to ensure it is free of dust, dirt, and debris, and replace your filter if necessary.
2. Short Cycling
When your HVAC system is short-cycling, it's turning “on” and “off” more often than normal. Common reasons include dirty air filters, electrical problems, oversized systems, and bad thermostat connections. Not only will this rob you and your loved ones of warmth, but it also doesn’t allow the hot and cold air in the house to mix.
When short cycling occurs, it can cause stubborn hot and cold spots throughout your home. Additionally, short cycling is also hard on your furnace. Imagine your furnace as a car; the more often it starts, the faster it depletes its fuel.
3. Longer Run Times
Conversely, if your furnace starts and fails to shut off, this is a sign of a problem. An indicator of an excessively long runtime for your furnace is an increase in your monthly utility bills.
If there is a noticeable rise in costs that weather changes or other external factors can't explain, your furnace may not be functioning efficiently. In such cases, you might require a furnace repair, maintenance, or potentially the installation of a new furnace.
4. Unusual Sounds or Smells
Unusual sounds or smells can indicate something is wrong with your HVAC system. Unusual sounds include, but are not limited to:
- Banging
- Scratching
- Rattling
- Screeching
Similarly, encountering unpleasant odors from your furnace is a cause for concern. If you notice any musty, moldy, or 'dirty sock’-like smells, these could be symptomatic of a burnt motor or mold accumulation within your ductwork or unit.
5. Leaks or puddles of water
Finding any water leakage from your HVAC system is a concerning sign and could potentially point to issues in your residential furnace. This could be due to a compromised heat exchanger or a malfunctioning seal on the evaporator coil; each is a serious safety risk.
How Often Does a Furnace Need Maintenance?
As a general rule, you should have your furnace serviced at least once a year, preferably before the winter season starts. Here in Columbus, we recommend shooting between September and November, which allows you to beat the crowd and the cold winter weather. While there is no one way to avoid furnace repairs, you can reduce the number of service calls you make by changing your filter and scheduling preventative maintenance.
Change Your Filter
Even though you're just midway through reading this article, we've already highlighted the importance of changing your filters several times. This is worth reiterating because it's the simplest yet most often overlooked maintenance task for homeowners.
You should change your furnace filters every 30 to 60 days; however, if you have an accordion-style air filter, it can last up to 6 months. Nevertheless, regularly changing your air filter can have several benefits, such as reducing furnace repairs, lowering your monthly utility bills, and keeping the air in your home clean.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
It might seem obvious, yet surprisingly, many homeowners have neglected to service residential HVAC systems for years. There are seven key reasons you shouldn't overlook your HVAC tune-up:
- Prevents breakdowns and expensive repairs.
- Extends your system's lifespan.
- Keeps your warranty valid.
- Ensures family comfort.
- Increases energy efficiency.
- Detects problems early.
- Maintains year-round comfort levels.
What is a Tune-Up?
So far in this article, we’ve talked a lot about annual tune-ups for your HVAC system; however, if you don’t know what a tune-up is, trust us, you’re not alone.
In short, an HVAC tune-up is like getting your annual physical but for your heating and cooling system. Just like you go to the doctor to ensure you're healthy, your HVAC system needs a check-up, too.
During a tune-up, a technician, who is like a doctor but for HVAC systems, will come to your house. They will look at your HVAC system to ensure everything works correctly. They'll also clean parts that might be dirty and switch out your filters, which are often compared to our lungs.
Thus, helping your system “breathe” and distribute clean air throughout your home. At this time, they’ll also check all the different parts to make sure they're not worn out or broken.
This is important because it helps the system run better, similar to how eating healthy foods and exercising helps your body run better. It can also stop bigger problems from happening later. Remember, when your HVAC system isn't running well, it uses more energy, which isn’t good for the environment or your wallet.
Columbus, Ohio Furnace Repair and Maintenance
Basic steps like regularly replacing your filter and scheduling routine maintenance are always good precautions for any HVAC system. However, if your system is having trouble maintaining the temperature you want, that’s a red flag, and it’s best to call an HVAC expert.
Remember, skipping your yearly furnace maintenance could rob you of your home's comfort and potential savings on electricity bills or void your HVAC warranty.
For those in Columbus, Ohio, seeking a dependable HVAC contractor for furnace repairs, you're in the right place! Fire & Ice is committed to quality service, ensuring the job is done right from the start.
Now that you know more about HVAC furnace repair and maintenance and how often one should be performed, fill in your zip code below to ensure you’re within our service area and schedule your appointment.
We look forward to making your day better!
