You may be wondering if you actually have a problem that needs professional furnace repair in McKinney, TX. Homeowners often assume their heating system can just keep limping along for another season, but that's often not the case. Symptoms of trouble may not seem catastrophic, but they are early warnings that a breakdown is on the way.
It is more cost-effective to get repair and preventive maintenance service now than to deal with a replacement for a unit that wasn't maintained properly. Here is our expert advice on some of the wide range of indications that you need an appointment for McKinney furnace repair:
Increased Energy Costs: Have you noticed that your heating bill seems higher than usual for normal furnace usage? This is often one of the first glaring signs of a struggling system that needs furnace repair in McKinney, TX. Heating units use a considerable amount of fuel to provide enough thermal energy to heat an entire house, so heating and cooling costs from your HVAC system are likely already the most expensive charges on your monthly utility bill. But over time, your system suffers wear and tear, especially on moving parts, and becomes dirty and clogged with grime. That causes it to lose energy efficiency, which means it needs to use more and more fuel in exchange for the same amount of thermal energy. A professional HVAC repair service can restore it to a much more energy efficient operation, which will reduce your energy costs and save you money in the long run.
Malfunctioning Thermostat: So many issues with your HVAC system circle right back to a broken or malfunctioning thermostat. The thermostat is like the "brain" of your system. It gives instructions to your heater unit, telling it when to turn on or off. So if it breaks, you think something is severely wrong with your heating system—but then it turns out your heater is doing just fine, and the culprit was your thermostat all along. This can be irritating, but it is actually a good thing because it doesn't require an extensive or invasive furnace repair in McKinney, TX. The experienced professionals on our team can usually get the heat back up and running with a thermostat replacement, which is simple and inexpensive compared to replacing the furnace itself.
Pilot Light Has Gone Out: If your pilot light is out, your unit will not be able to turn on. Sometimes, a random air draft from something like a slamming door can cause your pilot light to go out, but when that happens, it can usually just be relit, and the system will be back to its normal function. If the pilot light keeps going out repeatedly for seemingly no reason, you are dealing with a more serious issue that requires attention from a McKinney furnace repair professional.
Dirty Air Filter: If your heater won't turn on at all—or won't turn off, no matter how many buttons you press on your thermostat—or you have noticed an excessive amount of dust on the surfaces in your home even though you clean regularly, your furnace filter might be the culprit that needs furnace repair in McKinney, TX. You may be able to solve the problem yourself by swapping out the filter, but if they have not been changed in a long time, dirty filters can deteriorate and get caught up in the mechanical parts of your system. In that situation, you need professional help to get everything untangled and back to good operating condition.
Yellow Burner Flame: Next time your heating unit fires up, take a look at the color of the flame. It should be mostly blue. If you're seeing a mostly yellow flame, it is generally an indication that you have dirty burners. A good cleaning should solve the problem and help your furnace burners—along with the rest of the unit—run more efficiently.
Blower Fan is Always Running: Your blower fan is the part of the unit that pushes hot air into the ductwork so it can be carried around your house, and it has a fan limit switch that turns the fan off when it's not needed. If you've noticed that the fan is constantly on, it is likely a problem with a fan limit switch that needs furnace repair in McKinney, TX. You should be aware that it could also be related to the furnace blower motor or blower compartment.
Ductwork is Leaking Air: Does your home never feel as warm as you'd like it to, even when you crank up the thermostat? Or have you noticed that one room might be baking hot while another is icy cold? Inadequate and uneven heating can be caused by leaky ducts. If there's a hole or crack somewhere in the ductwork, it disrupts the flow of air, and the system can't get enough warmth to certain parts of the building. That's clearly unpleasant because it means your house is not at the level of indoor comfort you would prefer until you get furnace repair in McKinney, TX. Households with this problem are also losing a lot of money on their monthly energy bills because they are paying to heat the inside of the walls.
Faulty Thermocouple: Gas furnaces have a component called a thermocouple. If your pilot light goes out, the thermocouple turns off the gas valve, which is an important function to prevent gas from seeping into your home. But if there's an issue with the thermocouple, the flame sensor may not be able to detect the pilot light when it is burning, and that's a clear sign that it needs furnace repair in McKinney, TX. You will want to get this taken care of right away because otherwise, it will keep shutting off the gas valve and preventing the unit from getting the fuel it needs to operate.
Problem with the Circuit Breaker: If your system seems to be completely dead and won't turn on at all, check the circuit breaker box. Even a gas furnace has electrical components, so they can't operate without electricity. Take a look at the breakers and make sure all the switches labeled "HVAC" are in the on position so you can rule that out as a possible cause of malfunction before you call your local McKinney furnace repair professional.
