Furnace Repair and Maintenance in Dublin, Ohio

During the winter, your furnace is like a security blanket. When it’s running as it should, you have peace of mind knowing that no matter how nasty the weather is, your home will be at your optimal comfort level. When your furnace is running as it should, you can rest easy knowing it doesn’t need attention from you or an HVAC contractor.

Nevertheless, when trouble hits and you need emergency heating services, waiting in a cold house for help to arrive is unpleasant; and depending on how long you're waiting, the cold can be dangerous to your indoor plumbing, HVAC system, and your health.

In the meantime, while you’re waiting for help to arrive, you can toss another log onto the fire, dig out your portable heater, get under your wool blankets, and dress in layers, but without your warm, conditioned air, your house will be miserable.

At Fire & Ice, we get hundreds of service calls from Dublin, Ohio, for furnaces during the winter months, whether you call us for heating concerns, like a heating installation, repair services, routine maintenance, or cooling services for an air conditioning system.

Common air conditioning services include air conditioner maintenance, ac installation, air conditioning repair, tune-up, or other HVAC services. No matter the size or scope, our trusted and professional HVAC technicians can help.

In this article, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions regarding Dublin, Ohio, furnace repairs, and HVAC maintenance, including but not limited to:

●        What happens during a furnace tune-up?

●        Why does your furnace need maintenance?

●        What are the signs that your furnace may need repairing?

Dublin, Ohio Furnace Tune Up

In order to keep your furnace in tip-top shape, homeowners must schedule an annual tune-up. If you have a traditional HVAC system (air conditioner and furnace/heat pump), you must invest in a yearly tune-up for all HVAC units.

Typically, most homeowners schedule this appointment once in the spring and once in the fall. However, if you cannot schedule an appointment at the beginning of those seasons, you should STILL schedule your furnace (and AC) tune-up.

Keep in mind that it's better to have your HVAC maintenance completed in the off-season than not at all.

Overall, proper tune-up on your furnace will ensure it continues operating as it should and allows an HVAC professional to detect any problems before they become bigger, more expensive problems.

On average, regular and proper maintenance for your furnace will:

●     Longer lifespan

●     Maintain its energy efficiency

●     Lower energy bills and your carbon footprint

●     Keep the manufacturer's warranty intact

●     Diagnose problems before they become detrimental to your system

During a furnace tune-up in Dublin, Ohio, an HVAC technician will complete several tasks, including

●     Safe operation

●     Test for gas and carbon monoxide leaks

●     Check and change the air filter (if needed)

●     Inspect the flue pipe and draft divider

●     Test the gas valve to ensure proper operation

●     Check the blower motor

●     Clean and adjust pilot assembly (if applicable)

●     Clean the flame sensor

If you're a homeowner and you’re trying to decide between investing in a furnace or a heat pump, check out our Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Which System Is Right For You? article.

HVAC Maintenance for Dublin, Ohio Homeowners

Did you know that the number one reason we get calls about defective furnaces is that routine maintenance still needs to be performed? That said, investing in routine maintenance can save homeowners hundreds if not thousands, of dollars per year in energy costs. On top of that, regular HVAC maintenance will help your system avoid a breakdown and expensive repairs.

We often get asked, “Why does my furnace need maintenance every year?”

The answer is simple; you would only drive your car with a proper oil change, tire alignment, and rotation. Remember, if these simple tasks are not completed on a yearly (sometimes monthly or bi-monthly) basis could result in your car breaking down or, worse, causing an accident.

The same goes for your residential home comfort system.

Without routine maintenance on your furnace, it will begin to wear down and be less efficient. According to Energy Star, 43% of your utility bill goes towards heating your home. Regular furnace maintenance will help you keep more of your hard-earned money, keep your system running longer, and make your home more energy efficient.

At Fire & Ice, our NATE-certified technicians recommend that homeowners have maintenance performed on their furnace annually, regardless of its age, make, or model. As mentioned earlier, most people like to have their maintenance performed pre-season (spring and fall).

However, contrary to popular belief, a furnace tune-up can be performed at any time of the year. The important thing is that your furnace (and AC) are maintained once per year. Nevertheless, if you are a homeowner that tends to forget about their HVAC maintenance, you can enroll in one of our maintenance agreements.

Maintenance Agreements

At Fire & Ice, we have three different maintenance plans: gold, silver, and bronze. Each tier has a different cost, but each plan has its benefits. Before choosing your plan, you should consider certain factors about how old your system is, how often maintenance was performed in the past, and its energy efficiency.

You can also check out our Maintenance Agreement Homepage for more information.

Dublin, Ohio: Furnace Repairs From Fire & Ice

Before deciding to dish out the money for a new furnace, it's important to know whether the problem can be repaired. Below are some of Dublin, Ohio's most common reasons for furnace repairs. 

1. Your Furnace Isn't Generating Enough Heat

Sometimes homeowners run into a problem where the furnace is running; however, it’s not generating enough heat. Typically, when this happens, it's an issue with airflow; your HVAC equipment’s primary job is to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. Nevertheless, you may notice a significant temperature difference when there’s an issue with the airflow.

In fact, reduced airflow can damage your HVAC equipment if it isn’t addressed promptly. Restricted airflow can be caused by a failing part, a clogged air filter, or a build-up of dust and debris inside the furnace.

2.    Dirty Furnace Filter

Your furnace filter helps remove dirt, dust, and other debris from the air in your home. This helps protect your family’s health and your HVAC system, but the more debris your filter removes from the air, the more it restricts airflow. 

Homeowners usually notice this furnace issue from the air coming from the vent/registers. If the air from your vents isn't as strong as it used to be, you may have a clogged air filter. But the more debris your filter removes from the air, the more it restricts airflow.

A clogged air filter is the most common reason why furnaces have a shorter life span, decrease energy efficiency, increase your monthly energy bills, and it will cause poor indoor air quality in your home. 

Remember, depending on the type of air filter you have, it should be changed (or checked) at least once a month. If you find your air filter needs replaced, you can replace it yourself or have one of our HVAC service technicians swap it out at your next scheduled appointment.

3.    Your Furnace Turns On & Off Frequently

When your furnace turns on and off without completing a full heating cycle, in the HVAC world,  we call this short cycling. If your furnace is short cycling due to ignition issues, your furnace may attempt to start three times without running. The furnace will go through this process two more times. In newer furnaces, this typically results in a soft lockout.

After the final attempt, a newer furnace will enter a hard lockout, which only an HVAC service technician can address.

4.    Dirty Flame Sensor

A flame sensor is a safety feature that turns off the gas if your furnace’s burners won't ignite, which ensures that gas doesn’t fill your furnace cabinet.

But because a flame sensor sits in open flames from the burners, over time, it accumulates soot. So, if the flame sensor isn’t regularly cleaned off, eventually, your sensor won’t recognize whether or not the burners are lit.

Luckily, this tends to be a quick fix, and your HVAC service technician should be able to clean off a dirty flame sensor in no time and get your furnace back up and running smoothly.

5.    Dirty Burners

Your furnace’s burners help channel the open flames that heat your home.

Like flame sensors, burners can accumulate soot over time. This soot can clog the burners. Nevertheless, when the burners won't light, the flame sensor will turn the furnace off.

Also, just like flame sensors, this is an easy fix and one your HVAC service technician can address in no time!

6.    A Tripped Breaker

Sometimes, your furnace can trip your circuit breaker. While you can reset the breaker, it will likely happen again. If your furnace is frequently tripping your breaker/fuses, it’s best practice to call in a professional.

Common Reasons A Furnace Trips A Breaker:

●     A strained blower motor

●     Malfunctioning component

●     Restriction of airflow through your air ducts

●     A dirty/clogged air filter

Also, keep in mind that a furnace that works too hard will pull higher amps, thus causing the breaker to trip.

Furnace Repair and Maintenance in Dublin, Ohio

It’s typical for machines to break down slowly. A minor defect can go unnoticed for months. But after reading this article, we hope you can pick up on some of the warning signs your furnace is showing.

We know it can be difficult to pinpoint what changed, especially when the signs are subtle, but these small and subtle signs can make or break your home's overall comfort.

Scheduling your routine maintenance by an HVAC technician who is knowledgeable and thorough can help find issues that could eventually result in a system breakdown.

I know paying and scheduling your furnace for a routine maintenance check can be exhausting; however, it's better to keep up with your furnace repairs and maintenance to help you avoid paying for a major repair later.

Keep in mind that the cost of a furnace repair largely depends on the cost of the replacement part. That said, the price of a part can rely on its complexity and brand.

ALSO READ: How Much Does a Furnace Repair Cost in 2023?

If you’re a Dublin or Central Ohio resident and you need furnace repairs, service, or maintenance, we’re here to help.

When you understand more about your HVAC system, how it works, and how to get the most bang for your buck, you can make the best-informed decision for yourself and your loved ones.

At Fire & Ice, our service technicians take the time to explain the condition of your furnace without pressuring you to make a certain decision.

Are you ready to start your heating and cooling journey with Fire & Ice? Schedule a service appointment by clicking one of the buttons below.

We look forward to making your day even better!