Why Your Home Is Not Getting Warm Enough And When To Schedule Air Conditioning Service | Hinckley, IL
Winter in Hinckley, IL, is no picnic. It’s even worse when your furnace cannot warm your home enough. Unfortunately, a heater can fail to warm your home for several reasons. Below we’ll explain several problems to consider if your furnace doesn’t seem to be doing its job. Remember to contact a heating and air conditioning service for repairs.
Closed or Blocked Vents
If certain rooms in your home are warmer than others, the issue could be a blocked or closed vent. You’d be surprised how often rugs or furniture obstruct vents, blocking air and preventing heat from reaching the room. This forces the furnace to work harder to push hot air through the ventilation system. Dirt, dust, and debris can also force the heater to work harder than necessary. A professional air conditioning service can help you clean the ductwork and vents for better airflow.
Thermostat Issue
A variety of thermostat mishaps can interfere with furnace function. For starters, ensure that the thermostat is set to “Auto” rather than “On.” The “On” setting means that the fan is always circulating, even when the equipment isn’t heating the air. Setting the thermostat to “Auto” ensures that the system warms the air circulated by the fan.
Placing the thermostat in direct sunlight or near an outside door can cause frequent temperature misreads. The thermostat may also need new batteries or be faulty. Whatever the issue, an air conditioning service can help with thermostat installation and proper placement.
Improperly Sized Heater
You’ll have problems if the furnace is not the right size for your home. An oversized unit will short cycle, use up a lot of energy and put unnecessary wear and tear on the system without heating your home evenly. An undersized unit will constantly struggle to heat your house and will never be able to reach the desired temperature when outdoor temperatures drop rapidly, such as at sunset.
Leaky Ductwork
You could be wasting a lot of heat if the ductwork is not properly sealed and insulated. Ducts with leaks allow plenty of heat to escape before it ever reaches the intended rooms. As a result, the furnace has to work harder to provide the heating you need. Ensuring that the ductwork is sealed and insulated keeps the heated air where it belongs while improving your comfort during the winter. Call a professional air conditioning service to inspect the ductwork for leaks and repair them.
Dirty Furnace Filter
Replacing the filter every three months is a simple task that goes a long way toward improving the efficiency of your system. It helps protect other HVAC components while improving indoor air quality. You can tell if it’s time to replace the filter by holding it up to the light. Change it if the light doesn’t pass through. The same applies if you detect a dusty, dirty smell from the vents when the blower comes on. If you don’t know how to change the furnace filter, enlist the help of your local air conditioning service.
Crowded Furnace
It’s easy to forget to pay attention to areas such as the basement where your furnace is located. As a result, the room becomes cluttered with miscellaneous possessions that obstruct the furnace. Storing flammable materials near the furnace can also lead to unexpected fires and significantly damage your Hinckley, IL, home. Don’t take any chances – give the furnace the room it needs to operate safely. Clean the area around it regularly and contact an air conditioning service if you still have problems getting warm enough.
Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is an essential safety feature that safeguards a gas furnace against the unsafe burning of fuel. A dirty flame sensor can compromise the functionality of the furnace. The component is essentially a rod located at the back of the heater, directly in the burner’s path. Taking a micro amp draw reading is the best way to determine if a dirty flame sensor is causing the furnace to malfunction, and that’s something an expert heating and air conditioning service can provide you.
If a dirty flame sensor is the culprit, the technician will clean it with steel wool. You should be able to see a higher amp reading if dirt is the only factor. Otherwise, the HVAC technician will proceed with the diagnostic repair.
Wear and Tear
Furnaces are designed to be long-lasting, but nothing can keep them running forever. As your system approaches the retirement age of 15-20 years, it may lose its efficiency and struggle to heat your home. A substantial increase in your energy bills and the need for frequent repairs are leading signs that it’s time to replace your unit. Contact a heating and air conditioning service for help installing a new unit.
Overdue Maintenance
If your furnace is still working, but there has been a steady decline in performance, it may be overdue for a maintenance check. Dust buildup, lack of lubrication, and loose or misaligned parts are just a few of the factors that can hinder your heater’s performance, resulting in increased energy use and wear and tear. Preventative maintenance also ensures that the furnace is safe to operate. Our preventative maintenance service is quite comprehensive and includes:
- Lubricating moving parts
- Testing the thermostat for proper anticipation setting
- Checking for the correct blower speed
- Inspecting the blower housing and wheel for cleanliness
- Cleaning and adjusting the burners
- Tightening wire connections
- Cleaning and polishing the furnace exterior
- Inspecting the thermocouple and igniter
- Checking for proper motor amperage
Contact Just In Time Today
A failing furnace can be a nightmare, but regular maintenance and basic home improvements are often enough to remedy the problem. Don’t hesitate to contact our heating and air conditioning service in Hinckley, IL, to restore your heart’s function. The Just In Time technicians will provide nothing short of expert and quality service, whether you need a simple heater repair or a complete HVAC system overhaul.