We don’t have to remind you of how cold winters can be in Central Indiana. To combat the frigid air from November through March, you need a reliable heating system that can operate efficiently even on the coldest days of the year.
But furnaces , especially those that have been poorly maintained or are older , do tend to break down over time. What should you do when your electric or gas furnace doesn’t turn on, starts making weird noises or isn’t producing enough heat?
Before you panic or jump to conclusions, call the professional heating and air conditioner technicians at Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing. Problems brought on by a noisy furnace, lack of power to the furnace (if it’s electric), or a furnace blower not functioning can usually be easily repaired. Your home’s furnace problems might be more common than you think. Chapman has proudly provided HVAC services to the great people of Central Indiana for more than four decades and looks forward to you becoming a customer.
What Causes Furnaces to Stop Working Properly?
Here are some common causes for furnace trouble and how you can avoid them in the future.
1. Faulty Thermostat
The furnace’s thermostat controls and programs when heat is supposed to be produced. If your thermostat is set to your desired room temperature, but it isn’t working properly, it probably isn’t sending the message to your furnace. Try changing the batteries to eliminate the problem. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call Chapman to repair or replace your thermostat.
If your thermostat is set to heat, but it’s not releasing much warm air, it’s likely that your thermostat is faulty and is relaying the wrong temperature to your home’s furnace.
We have a wide selection of thermostats to choose from that will fit your lifestyle perfectly, including programmable and smart thermostats that allow you to set the desired temperature from your smartphone even while you’re away from home. We’ll check the thermostat for you and figure out what your furnace’s problem is.
2. Dirty Air Filter
When your HVAC system’s furnace filter becomes dirty or clogged, it doesn’t allow the right amount of airflow to the furnace system. A dirty filter will make it harder for your furnace to heat your home. The extra build-up in the air filter makes your furnace system work harder than necessary, which puts a strain on the machine. Some filters need to be replaced every month; some once a year. If you are not sure when to replace the filter, contact Chapman for help. Replacing the dirty and clogged filter will greatly extend the life of your furnace system, and you will have a much warmer home.
3. Lack of Maintenance
Your home heating system is very important, so you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. Regularly scheduled maintenance is vital. Your furnace is made up of complex parts that all work together to keep the machine running smoothly. If you forget to schedule regular maintenance, you might experience breakdowns, an increase in your energy bill and a lot of frustration.
We recommend annual maintenance in the fall before you turn the system on for the first time. But even if you’ve already turned your system on, you should still have the system tuned up to help it provide quality heating on the coldest days of winter.
4. Pilot/Ignition Control Troubles
Some other issues you might be experiencing are problems with your furnace’s ignition control. Don’t attempt to repair this problem yourself. It’s a good idea to have a professional HVAC technician evaluate the situation before it turns into a bigger problem. Our service technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
5. Blocked or Leaking Ducts
If your air ducts are blocked or are leaking, hot air won’t be able to reach its end destination. Check that areas near the furnace are clear of any potential debris. A professional may need to pay your home a visit to check on the ducts. If they’re blocked or leaking, they might be the source of your home’s heating problems.
Contact Chapman for Furnace Maintenance and Furnace Repairs
Though we’ve mentioned common furnace problems that your system might be dealing with, your home might be dealing with a separate problem entirely. Your home’s electric or gas furnace should be able to produce heat at the set temperature of your house. If it’s not creating enough heat to completely heat the home, you may need furnace services performed.
Not sure if your furnace needs to be repaired or replaced? Tried all the furnace troubleshooting suggestions that you can find? Contact Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing for your heating and cooling needs. Chapman carries a full line of high-efficiency furnaces.
No matter the problem with your home’s furnace, the experts at Chapman can help. Contact us today so we can recommend the best services for your home.
Disclaimer: we strongly suggest you always call a professional in case you ever run into trouble with your heating or cooling devices. Whether you call Chapman or the manufacturer, you should always get a professional’s opinion before picking apart pieces of your furnace or air conditioner. That being said, there are a few things you can do to prevent problems from happening in the first place.
Clean the Filter
Whether it’s your furnace or your air conditioner you need to be changing or cleaning the filter every one to three months. Make sure you check with the manufacturer to verify when you should be changing the filter. Dirty filters will reduce t he efficiency of your machine, making it work harder which causes stress on your system. The more stress you put on your system, the earlier it will need to be replaced.
Check the Thermostat
The thermostat controls and programs when heat or cool air is supposed to be produced. If your thermostat isn’t working properly it probably isn’t sending the message to your furnace. Try changing the batteries to eliminate the problem. If your thermostat is still malfunctioning, call Chapman or the manufacturer for more information about the appropriate next steps to take.
Blown Fuses
The purpose of a fuse is to protect the unit’s motor or compressor from overheating. Most fuses are found in the evaporator coil. When the motor in your system starts to go bad, the breaker is one of the first things you should look at. We recommend investing in a surge protector. If trouble persists, get a technician out to your home to take a look. It always helps to have a professional survey the damage in case there is a bigger problem.
These are just a few common HVAC issues that you can prevent with no technical training. Now, if your machine shuts down or a part fails, don’t go to Google and search how to repair it. Leave that up to the trained technicians. Save yourself time and money and call Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning, or visit our website today!
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, your source for qualified hvac repair and installation contractors
INDIANAPOLIS, July 3, 2014 , Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., a local HVAC company in Indianapolis, donated and installed a new heating and cooling system to the Humane Society for Hamilton County’s dog intake area, where all of the dogs first arrive and might stay for several days before there is room to move them into the kennel.
Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning is a corporate partner of the Hamilton County Humane Society and its efforts to find animals good homes. As part of Chapman’s commitment to the organization they have donated and installed a brand new HVAC system for the intake area. It is critical to have an A/C unit in the area because the temperature can often exceed 90 degrees in the summer. The warmer temperatures make it unbearably hot for the animals, as well as the people who care for them.
For over 30 years, Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning has provided high quality, reliable service to families throughout central Indiana. They have grown to become the largest independent Bryant dealer in the Indianapolis area, offering a full range of topnotch heating and air conditioning products and equipment.
The new system was installed on Friday, June 12, 2014. Jeff Chapman, owner of Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning, expressed his admiration for the entire staff at the Humane Society for Hamilton County. Chapman said, As the proud new parent of a pup that I adopted from the Humane Society, I know how important it is to give these animals a safe place to stay while they wait to be adopted. The Humane Society for Hamilton County does so many great things for the community that it’s our pleasure along with Scott Plumbing to donate a new HVAC system.
Scott Plumbing is a sister company of Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning. They are also close neighbors with the Humane Society for Hamilton County in Noblesville.
Both businesses look to continue their partnership with the Humane Society for Hamilton County in a combined effort to help serve the greater Indianapolis community.
For more information about Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning, call 317-291-4909 or visit www.chapmanoxydev.wpenginepowered.com.
For more information about the Humane Society for Hamilton County, call 317-773-4974 or visit www.hamiltonhumane.com.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide air conditioning services for your home today
Sometimes keeping your home toasty warm during the winter can become expensive. Your heating bill can become astronomically high while the temperatures continue to drop. Don’t panic. It’s easy to bring those sky-high energy bills down without sacrificing comfort one bit. So don’t break out that Snuggie to stay warm just yet. Start with these simple tips for a cozy and cost-effective winter.
The first and most important step you need to take is to make sure your furnace is running at peak performance. If you have any doubt that something might be wrong, call a professional. Chapman can install the world’s most energy efficient HVAC system. If you have drafty rooms or a cold bedroom, our installation team can address these trouble spots for you. Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your furnace, while saving you money. Give Chapman a call for more information about preventative maintenance.
For whole-house comfort, consider installing a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you to tell the thermostat to keep the temperature low during the day while no one is home, and at night while everyone is asleep. At pre-set times, like when you return home or when you wake up, the temperatures will automatically return to more comfortable levels. By saving your furnace while you’re away or asleep, you can shave dollars off of your annual energy bill. Best of all? This will also save you cash during the summer cooling season.
Colder temperatures mean it’s time to become more aware of how often your exhaust fans are running. The fans in your kitchen and bathroom are actually expelling the warm air inside your home when they are on. If you absolutely have to have a fan on, keep it on only for as long as you need it (like to suck the steam out after a shower or while cooking) then turn it off. This is a money saving habit everyone in the house can easily adapt.
Finally, make sure you’re actually getting that warmth you’re paying for. If air isn’t circulating around your house properly, your furniture or rugs might be blocking the vent. Consider moving your furniture around so that it doesn’t block the vents in your home. This will keep your home warmer and also leaves you with a fresh, new living space.
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, carries a full line of high efficiency furnaces. Contact us to recommend the best services to your home
