Expert Tips To Avoid a Scary Overheating Furnace This Halloween

Overheating Furnaces: What Homeowners Need to Know

There are a lot of events homeowners might expect around Halloween. Scary movies on TV, Trick or Treaters in creepy costumes, the temptation to eat fun-size candy bars from their kids’ treat bags, and maybe even a bonfire or a haunted house. One situation they are likely not prepared for is an overheating furnace. 

If this happens, it can lead to scary household risks, including furnace fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fortunately, homeowners can avoid these problems by using tips from furnace contractors – including knowing the symptoms of an overheating furnace, and steps they can take to prevent their system from overheating.

Risks of an Overheating Furnace

An overheating furnace can cause numerous risks for households. One of the most common problems they might encounter is a fire. If the furnace overheats, the components in the furnace are at risk of starting on fire. Other issues it can cause are damaged components that need to be replaced and a system working too hard – causing energy bills to increase.

If a furnace overheats, it can reduce the unit’s lifespan, forcing homeowners to replace the system sooner than expected.

Perhaps the scariest issue households can experience is a carbon monoxide leak. An overheating furnace can damage the heat exchanger. If a crack develops, it can cause a leak. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly, and what makes it even scarier, it can be odorless and colorless, so households might not be aware of the leak until it’s too late. 

Scheduling routine furnace tune-ups can help homeowners prevent overheating, as the problems that cause it to overheat can be detected and repaired during an inspection. 

Is Your Furnace Overheating? Symptoms to Watch For

bad smellExperts recommend that homeowners know the signs to watch for that indicate their furnace is overheating. It’s crucial to catch these problems quickly, as scheduling repairs as soon as possible is essential to avoiding major threats. 

If homeowners smell a burning odor or notice hotter air than usual coming through the vents, it can be a warning sign that their furnace might be overheating. 

Other symptoms to watch include if their system is frequently turning on and off, if their circuit breakers are tripping if they hear strange noises from the unit, and if they see signs of burnt wires or burn marks in the system. Increasing utility bills can also indicate the furnace is overheating. 

These furnace overheating symptoms can also signal other issues with a furnace, so it’s essential to have a furnace technician inspect it and properly diagnose and repair the problem. 

Tips to Avoid an Overheating Furnace

air filter replacementWhile an overheating furnace can cause scary situations for a household, these can be avoided. One of the best recommendations furnace contractors have for homeowners is to schedule annual routine furnace maintenance services on the system. 

In addition to this, property owners should ensure their unit is clean by removing dust and other debris from the motor and the blades, and schedule air filter replacement services every 1 to 3 months. 

Homeowners should also check the ductwork to look for leaks or other defects and consider installing a new, programmable thermostat to better control when the furnace runs. Households should also consider replacing their furnace if it is old and showing signs of wear and tear. 

About AMC Services, Inc.

AMC Services, Inc. has over 20 years of experience serving Denton and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and same-day services. Call them today for furnace installation and replacement in Denton, TX.

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Expert Tips on When to Replace Your Thermostat

Signs You Need to Replace the Thermostat

When homeowners think about ensuring their air conditioner is working correctly, they often focus on the AC components like the compressor, air handler, coils, and other items. However, it’s also important to ensure the thermostat is working properly. 

Suppose a thermostat is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. In that case, it can prevent the air conditioner from properly cooling a house, reduce the AC unit’s lifespan, and cause utility bills to increase. 

To avoid these problems, AC contractors tell Denton, TX homeowners what broken thermostat symptoms to watch for that can indicate they need thermostat replacement services. These include higher utility bills, incorrect temperature readings, and short cycling.

Higher Energy Bills

billsOne negative impact a broken thermostat can have on households is high energy bills. When a thermostat stops working correctly, it can cause the air conditioner to run when it’s not supposed to – forcing the AC unit to work harder than usual to cool the house or run continuously, wasting energy.

A thermostat communicates to the air conditioner when it needs to turn on and off based on the temperature in the house and the programmed settings. If the thermostat is not working correctly, it can fail to properly signal the AC. This can cause the air conditioner to fail to turn on when the house gets too warm or not turn off when it’s properly cooled. 

It can also interfere with smart thermostats. If these wifi-connected devices are programmed, a malfunctioning thermostat can prevent it from following the correct settings and cause it to run when it’s not supposed to. 

Incorrect Temperature Readings

temperatureAnother sign that a thermostat needs to be replaced is if it displays the incorrect temperature. 

If the thermostat reading seems different from the actual temperature in the house, it can signal the thermostat is not working correctly. Homeowners should also watch the thermostat while the air conditioner is running. If the temperature doesn’t change, it can indicate a problem. 

Property owners should also call an AC contractor to inspect their thermostat if the buttons or screen on the device stop working correctly and if the system starts to short cycle.

Short Cycling

If households start to notice their air conditioner turns on and then off again quickly, without properly cooling the house, it can indicate the system is short cycling. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause this issue. 

If the thermostat’s sensors are not accurately detecting the temperature in a house, it cannot correctly alert the AC unit on when to turn on and off. Short cycling can also indicate a wiring issue with the thermostat that prevents it from properly communicating with the AC unit or that the device is dirty and needs cleaning. 

If short cycling occurs, homeowners should call a professional to inspect the thermostat and air conditioner. A technician can accurately determine the cause and replace the thermostat if needed.

About AMC Services, Inc.

AMC Services, Inc. has over 20 years of experience serving Denton and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and same-day services. Call them today for air conditioning installation and replacement in Denton, TX.