Furnace Repair in Austin, Texas
While Texas doesn’t experience the winters someone in Minnesota sees as normal, the area still sees cold weather. That means area homes need functional heating systems that keep your family warm. Preparing for winter weather means calling for heating repair while the weather is still warm, but even well-maintained heating systems will fail.
Heating systems, especially those manufactured within the past few years, are complicated. Few homeowners have the expertise or tools needed to diagnose and complete repairs. That’s when it’s time to call our team of experts for heating & cooling services here at Airsheen Services. Here are just a few problems homeowners see during a typical Texas winter.
Uneven Heating in Different Rooms
When some rooms in a home are cold while others are uncomfortably warm, the system should be evaluated by a professional to determine why the disparities exist. In many cases, the furnace itself may function correctly but the ducts aren’t doing their job. Damaged ducts or incorrectly designed duct systems are generally the culprits, and our technicians will recommend solutions.
On the other hand, the furnace itself could be causing the problem. If rooms far from the furnace are difficult to heat, contact our experts to evaluate the system to see if it’s undersized for the property or if a simple solution like replacing a furnace filter will suffice. A furnace that’s too small won’t heat a home efficiently, and it may even cost more to operate than a larger furnace that’s properly sized for the house. If you need to upgrade, we’re here to help. Of course, we’re also here to provide routine heating maintenance.
Rising Energy Bills Suggest Something’s Wrong
Energy bills go up when the rates increase, but if there hasn’t been a rate increase and bills are rising, HVAC experts recommend contacting a heating system professional to determine why those costs are going up. As heating systems age, their efficiency levels decrease, which means they use more energy to deliver the same amount of heat. In some cases, replacing worn parts will help, but we recommend heat pump replacement or replacing older gas furnaces when the operating costs get out of hand.
Older furnaces were lucky to see an 80 percent efficiency rating. As those systems age, the efficiency levels drop even lower. New, energy-efficient models routinely operate at 90 to 95 percent efficiency, while the most efficient models feature over 98 percent efficiency. With energy costs going up rapidly, upgrading to a new furnace will deliver a pretty solid return on investment for homeowners. In addition, a new furnace is unlikely to need anything other than routine maintenance for several years.
A Carbon Monoxide Detector is Going Off
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels are burned to heat a home. When everything is working correctly, waste gases (including that carbon monoxide) exit the home through a flue. However, when components wear or vent systems develop leaks, carbon monoxide can find its way into a home where it threatens the safety of everyone. Dealing with the problem should never be put off. At the first sign of a carbon monoxide problem, vent the home by opening doors and windows and have everyone leave until the source of the problem is identified.
Our technicians will inspect the heating system to locate the problem and recommend solutions. Some problems, like cracked combustion chambers, are not normally feasible to repair. In other words, a replacement furnace is recommended. However, there are numerous problems that a technician can repair quickly. If, for example, a vent component is damaged, replacing that part will rectify the situation and make the home safe for occupancy again. Our experts are well-versed in all types of a furnace repair.
The Furnace Won’t Start
While there are several problems that prevent a furnace from starting, most are relatively simple to handle. However, isolating the problem isn’t always easy. That doesn’t mean a homeowner shouldn’t try a couple of DIY solutions before calling our team for HVAC maintenance. Here are a couple of things to try.
Check the breaker. The home’s distribution panel will have a breaker that should be marked “furnace” or something similar. If that breaker has tripped, reset it by moving it all the way to the off position and then back to the on position. If that’s the problem, you’re good to go. However, if the breaker trips repeatedly, contact an expert to determine why it’s happening.
Inspect the Thermostat. Many newer thermostats include batteries that can fail. If the batteries go dead, the programming could be lost, which would mean the unit won’t power on when it’s needed. Replace the batteries, reset the programming, and see if the system works. If it doesn’t, the problem lies elsewhere.
Check the switch located on or near the furnace. Furnaces are required to have an on/off switch located within reach of the unit. Sometimes, people inadvertently turn the switch off, which means the furnace won’t run. If that switch is set to the off position, turn it on. Again, if the furnace still doesn’t start, it’s time to call an HVAC professional for help.
If none of the solutions here work, the problem is generally beyond the ability of an average homeowner to resolve. Contact our team for advice.
Call For An Appointment With Airsheen Services Today!
When a furnace doesn’t function correctly, call to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Waiting until the weather turns cold is never a good idea. We’re here to help, so contact our experts for help now.