With winter around the corner, it is time for homeowners to start preparing for frigid days. The winter in Denver is very unpredictable. Current temperatures can be misleading, with temperature swings of 30+ degrees in less than 24 hours year-round. Temperature swings that dip below freezing are why ensuring your furnace is in optimal condition is an essential task to perform before winter comes. It could be a matter of safety for you and your family.
When working with Quality Home HVAC, preparing your furnace for winter is essential but not a stressful item on the homeowner’s autumn to-do list. Our quality customer service and affordable repairs make us one of Denver’s best family-owned HVAC companies. Let us explore the most common questions we receive at Quality Home HVAC about furnace repair in Denver, Colorado, and the surrounding communities.
What is a Furnace, and How Does it Work?
The term “furnace” refers to a big heating device that spreads heat uniformly throughout a structure. “Furnace” is derived from the Latin “fornax,” which means “oven.” Furnaces internally burn fuel to warm air, water, or steam before distributing this warmth throughout a structure to keep the inside at a reasonable temperature.
Most furnaces are considered ‘forced-air furnaces’ because they employ a blower to guide hot air into various areas. Other furnaces provide heat by burning electricity, wood, coal, or oil. Natural gas or liquid propane gas is often the fuel of choice (LPG). A furnace works by integrating all of its parts and making sure that each one functions effectively with the others.
Setting the temperature on the thermostat communicates with the furnace. A signal is delivered from the thermostat to the control board to activate various parts like the gas valve and blower fan when the temperature falls below the temperature you chose. The control board instructs the gas valves to open to release additional gasoline. A pilot light can ignite more fuel by opening the gas valves, which warms the air that flows across the heat exchanger.
As a result, the furnace produces more heat, which the blower fan forces into the ductwork. While simultaneously drawing in colder air to be heated, the blower fan aids in forcing warm air through the air filter. This process repeats until the room temperature matches the temperature you indicated on the thermostat. The flue releases any extra flammable gasses produced or squandered by the system, ensuring that no one living on the premises is at risk.
Your furnace is a complex machine that helps create a comfortable and safe living space. All Denver furnace repairs should be done by trained professionals, like our team at Quality Home HVAC.
What are the Most Common Problems with Furnaces?
Here are the most common indicators you may need Denver furnace repairs:
- You hear unusual noises when the furnace runs. The furnace repair could be as simple as tightening a loose part or replacing a part that no longer functions properly.
- The furnace will click but will not turn on. Always call a professional if your furnace clicks but does not turn on. You can reach our team at Quality Home HVAC at (970) 447-4151 to schedule your Denver furnace repair.
- Condensed Pump Failure is one of the most common Denver furnace repairs.
- Thermostat malfunctions mean the furnace does not generate heat. If one part of the communication fails, the system fails.
- The blower continuously runs. This common Denver furnace repair is usually a thermostat communication error as well.
If you need furnace repairs in Denver, ensure you schedule them sooner rather than later. The furnace typically consumes the most energy in your house, so your energy expenditures will skyrocket when it is not working correctly. This time of year, a furnace hiccup could expose your home to the extreme cold temperatures of a Colorado winter. Our highly trained technicians at Quality Home HVAC respond quickly to efficiently find the root issue and solution for all Denver furnace repairs.
Is it Worth it to Repair Your Furnace in Denver?
Deciding if you should replace your furnace or schedule your Denver furnace repair can be confusing for any homeowner. Here are a few indicators that can help you understand if you need a Denver furnace repair or a new furnace installation. Always have your furnace assessed by a professional HVAC technician before purchasing a new furnace. Replacing it too soon can be an unnecessary cost.
Repairing your furnace is often your first choice as a homeowner. Suppose your furnace is heating your home appropriately, meaning it is generally working fine. In that case, a minor repair is likely your solution. Minor routine maintenance repairs are a great way to know if you need a Denver furnace repair or furnace replacement.
When furnace repair costs increase and are needed more often, think about how long you have had the furnace. If you have had your furnace for more than ten years, it is probably time for a new furnace installation. Your energy bill may even decrease each month.
What is Better, Replace or Repair Your Furnace?
There is no fast answer on which is better. It truly depends on more than one factor and can only be determined by a trained HVAC professional assessing your furnace in person. However, here are a few of the things we consider when determining your Denver furnace repairs:
- How old is your furnace? Generally, furnaces less than 10 years old can be repaired and returned to their normal condition. It is usually more cost-efficient for you as a Denver homeowner to replace an older furnace.
- What is the cost of repairs? If your yearly expenses for repairs are close to or exceed the price of a new furnace, schedule your new furnace installation. Find out how long the repair is expected to last for Denver furnace repairs. Monthly HVAC maintenance will help you determine if it is time for a Denver furnace repair or replacement.
How Can You Tell if Your Denver Furnace is Broken?
Many different signs tell your furnace is broken. Some signs are easy for homeowners to spot, and others are unrecognizable. The most noticeable sign you need a Denver furnace repair is when your furnace fails to heat your house to the appropriate thermostat settings or maintain a constant temperature. A faulty furnace is evident when a residence is cold or unpleasant. The hot airflow may be uneven or vary due to the furnace cycling on and off. A poor working blower or a blocked furnace filter may cause this. Call a professional HVAC company immediately if you notice strange aromas from your heat vents. A faulty or malfunctioning furnace will be evident if you do not feel any moving hot air from the vents.
My Furnace is On, But There is Not Heat Coming Out.
There are many potential issues for this symptom of a faulty furnace. If a failure is detected, the blower will often be the only thing that runs on a furnace. Furnaces include a variety of sensors that may detect overheating and turn off the heating element automatically if they identify a potential safety issue. Your furnace “runs” but does not heat because of this.
What to Check if a Furnace is Not Working?
You can do several things when your furnace is not working before calling a professional.
The first thing to check when your furnace is not working is your furnace’s filters. A faulty furnace is frequently the result of dirty air filters. Air filters collect dust, dirt, hair, and other debris that impede or obstruct essential airflow over time. The heat exchanger is scorched without airflow, and the proper operation of your furnace is impaired.
Next, check your thermostat. The thermostat, which serves as your heating system’s control panel, is the cause of many furnace malfunctions, despite how obvious it may seem. If something is not operating correctly, it can be as simple as the thermostat’s batteries. The display may become blank when the batteries run out. The thermostat is not able to control your heating and cooling system. Replacing the batteries once a year is an excellent method to avoid this problem for most systems.
Finally, inspect the air ducts. Look for grips that stick out from the ducts; these are airflow control dampers. You should make sure that they are entirely open. You may have an issue with leaking ducts or improperly built ducts if some entire rooms are still cold. Examine any accessible ducts to see if any gaps or branching points might indicate blocked or leaking ducts that could obstruct airflow. These may be sealed with specific metal duct tape. Additionally, ensure your vents are never covered or obstructed by items in your spaces.
Denver Furnace Repair HVAC Company
Homeowners across the Denver metro area trust Quality Home HVAC to care for their HVAC needs. With over 90 years of combined experience in the industry, our highly trained technicians are backed by a wealth of hands-on knowledge. With state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, we quickly find the source of your HVAC troubles and resolve them fast. As a family-owned company, we understand the importance of a correct, affordable, and swift Denver furnace repair. Denver homeowners continue to choose Quality Home HVAC. Reach out to find out how our monthly maintenance services can save you money.
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