Furnace Repair & Services

December 8 2017

Tips to Follow Before Calling a Furnace Repair Contractor

Paul Kwekkeboom Furnace Repair & Services, Tips and Advice

Minnesota winters can be ferociously chilly. That is why you need your heating system to be in its best condition, especially during the coldest months of winter. What if your furnace gives up on you, leaving your home frigid? Your first instinct is probably to call a furnace repair company to inspect your system.

While that’s actually a good and safe choice, it is possible that your heating system malfunction is actually very minor and something you can correct yourself.

Here are a few tips to follow before calling a professional for furnace repair in Minnetonka, Plymouth ant other metro cities.

Perform an Electrical Check

The first thing you need to identify is if there is power to the system. Make sure there is no power interruption in your area before calling your local heating company.

If the breaker for your furnace has tripped, reset it and see if your unit starts working again. If the circuit keeps on tripping, then there is a more serious electrical problem that requires professional checkup.

If the fan does not run, check the fuse and make sure the furnace switch is in the ON position. Also, watch out for loose electrical connections. Check the panel board and look for any burn spots. If you feel uncomfortable performing these electrical checks, have a professional do it for you instead.

Check the Filter

The filter’s job is to clean the air that goes into the furnace and the heated air that circulates throughout the house. If there are blockages in the filter, airflow is compromised, which causes the furnace to overheat.

There are newer furnace models that automatically shut down before too much dirt is accumulated, telling you to clean the filters. However, older units will keep on working – but with considerably less heat production and capped efficiency.

Pros recommend changing furnace filters every 30 to 60 days, depending on how dirty the air is. Properly maintaining your filter can greatly impact the overall performance of your furnace.

Check the Thermostat

The thermostat is responsible for telling the furnace to function. That is why a malfunctioning thermostat can effectively disable your entire heating system. If your furnace stops working, you should always inspect the thermostat before performing any other troubleshooting steps.

You need to make sure the thermostat is set to HEAT. Also, keep in mind to set the thermostat to a thermal reading that is above the room’s temperature.

If your furnace has a thermostat that is battery-operated, check the low-battery indicator that typically flashes if they need changing. You’ll be surprised to know that a lot of furnace repair service calls are actually solved by simply replacing the batteries.

Check the Vents

Your furnace is vented to the outside to get rid of the after-effects of gas combustion. During winter storms, these vents can be clogged by snow and cause issues to your heating system.

If you have a new, high-efficiency furnace model, you do not need to worry since these units are designed to stop working when the vents are clogged. This is one of the safety features of some of the latest models.

However, if you have an older furnace that doesn’t have this safety feature, your system will continue to run, accumulating significant amounts of carbon monoxide, a very hazardous gas. You will need to manually check your vent pipe to make sure it is not clogged.

A common mistake homeowners commit is that they close all the vents in unused rooms. This could actually lead to damage to your system as closed vents generate higher pressure, causing high resistance and heat build-up within your heating system.

How Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning Can Help

If you have attempted these simple troubleshooting tips but your furnace still gives you a headache, call a trusted heating company in Plymouth and Minnetonka, MN such as Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning.

We are a premier HVAC company serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We have been the preferred heating and cooling contractor of our clients since 1974. Our certified technicians have years of training and experience, and they can help you with your furnace repair needs.

We offer after hours service should your furnace let you down after normal business hours. Our technicians won’t keep you freezing while you wait for someone to repair your furnace.

November 14 2017

Importance of Annual Maintenance for Your Furnace

Paul Kwekkeboom Furnace Repair & Services, Furnaces, Info Articles

Just like maintaining your car, a regular professional inspection on your furnace unit is required to ensure that it is working efficiently, thus, saving you money. Imagine yourself dealing with a broken-down furnace during the coldest days of winter!

Not only that, regular maintenance can help extend the life of your equipment. More importantly, a licensed HVAC technician can ensure that your furnace is operating safely and keep you from requiring furnace repair in Fridley and nearby cities in the Twin Cities.

Annual Maintenance Ensures Your Furnace is Working Safely

One of the most important checks on your system is for carbon monoxide, which is a hazardous gas. The technician will use a certified carbon monoxide detector to ensure that the air in your home is safe for you and your family. In the state of Minnesota, carbon monoxide alarms are required in every home.

A furnace that doesn’t undergo regular maintenance can generate carbon monoxide that can pose danger to your family’s health. Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning may include dull headaches, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness, among others.

Annual Maintenance Helps Avoid Costly Furnace Repairs

Proper airflow is essential for any heating and cooling equipment to operate efficiently. A regular inspection of the filter needs to be done to ensure that there are no blockages in the system’s airflow. Blockages force your fan motor to overwork, using more energy. This can cause damage to your system, decrease its efficiency and significantly increase your utility bill.

Moreover, accumulated dirt and debris can cause your unit to have multiple issues, such as frozen evaporator coils and depleted heating, which can shorten your furnace’s lifespan. Regular replacement of your system’s filters is even more necessary if you have pets, keep many chemicals, or if there are smokers at home.

To ensure that your furnace is working according to its manufacturer’s specifications, the technician will detect the current draw of the circulating fan motor to ensure that it is pulling the correct amperage or power. The test will identify if your unit is drawing too much power, which not only wastes your money but can also lead to overheating and very expensive repairs.

The technician will also perform a series of tests and, if necessary, make adjustments to keep your furnace operating safely and at peak performance.

The technician will then give you a full checklist based on the results of all the diagnostic checks and inspections that have been just made. All areas of concern regarding your equipment will be highlighted by the technician and will let you know if your furnace is in good shape or if certain parts need to be repaired or replaced. Don’t you think it would give you peace of mind knowing that your unit receives a clean bill of health?

With comfort and safety in mind, annual maintenance on your heating and cooling system can help you detect and repair issues before your furnace fails in the middle of a cold Minnesota night!

Keeping your system in tip-top shape is essential in ensuring that it remains operating as long as it possibly can. After all, you bought it with your hard-earned money. Take care of your furnace, and your furnace will take care of you.

Entrust Your Furnace Only to the Pros

You should call only qualified and trained HVAC professionals like Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. Our technicians are certified in heating and cooling and can service most brands and models.

We have been serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area for over forty years. We only hire the best and most experienced HVAC professionals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Our technicians fully understand that the main goal is to keep our customers safe and satisfied, and that’s all that matters.

We have annual maintenance programs that ensure your heating system works at its best performance throughout the winter season. You no longer need to worry about who to call when your furnace breaks down in the cold of day or night! We want you to save time and money and give you the warmth and comfort that you expect out of your furnace.

If you are looking for a trusted heating company Roseville MN, Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is the company to call. Contact us for your annual furnace checkup.