Has your furnace been acting up this winter? It may be time for a furnace replacement. Read on for 7 symptoms your heater is on its way out.
Keyword(s): furnace replacement
Is there anything worse than a freezing cold living room and a bedroom that’s just a little too warm throughout the night?
The end-goal of using your furnace is to create a comfortable home environment, not one that needs constant adjusting. At the end of the day, your home’s heating system should not draw huge amounts of energy only to endanger the air quality you live in.
Here are some obvious signs it could be high-time for furnace replacement…
How Old is Your Home’s Furnace?
This seems like an obvious question, but it’s one that many homeowner’s neglect to think about when their furnace starts playing up. If your furnace is still being ignited by a pilot light and gas, it’s probably older than 20 years!
First thing’s first, you should compare your furnace to the national average lifespan of a furnace.
The average life expectancy ranges from 16-20 years. If your furnace is closer to this age than not, then it’s time to think about replacement. But don’t leave it to the last minute or in the case of an emergency.
Plan ahead, shop around and schedule it in as a planned home improvement. This way you can budget for it properly too.
Obvious Signs It’s Time for Furnace Replacement
Now, if your home is heated by a gas-operated furnace, this doesn’t always mean the furnace is older than 20 years. There are plenty of modern-day gas furnaces doing stellar jobs of heating homes across America.
But whether your furnace is old or relatively new, these are some of the top signs that it could be failing you…
1. An Increased Gas and Energy Bill
Sure, the cost of energy and gas tends to go up over time – thanks, inflation. But sometimes, this is no the only cause. As your furnace begins to decrease in efficiency, so your energy and gas consumption increases.
A defective furnace runs for longer in order to provide the same amount of heat. As a result, this chews into your energy and gas bill. The extra money you spend on these bills could be used to buy a new furnace!
2. A Constant Need for Repairs
As a furnace begins to age, it will begin to show signs of weakness or failure such as the constant need for replacement parts. Much like a car, you can replace one part, only to replace another 1-2 years later.
Furnaces that need replacement tend to breakdown the most in the last 2 years of their lifespan. Also, the older a furnace gets, the more difficult it becomes to find replacement parts.
Rather than leaving furnace replacement to the last minute or the dead of winter, learn when its time to let go and get a new one.
3. Inconsistent Room Temperatures
Are some rooms in your home freezing cold, while others are just too warm and dry? This is a dead giveaway that your furnace and thermostat is on its way out.
The function of your furnace is to keep your home’s temperature comfortable and consistent. If your furnace is not doing this, this means it lacks the ability to properly distribute air throughout your home.
4. A Yellow Burner Flame
A healthy, fully functional gas furnace will display a constant blue pilot flame. If this flame turns yellow over time or begins to flicker excessively, this is a major cause for concern.
This is a sign that carbon monoxide is being created by your furnace. Carbon monoxide is extremely poisonous and could put your family at risk. Other signs of carbon monoxide being produced by your furnace include:
- Soot around your furnace
- No upward draft through your furnace chimney
- Excessive moisture collecting on your windows, walls, and other surfaces
- Excessive rust on flue pipes, pipe connections, and appliance jacks
- Water leaks from the base of the chimney, vent or flue pipe
If you spot any of these telltale signs, be sure to call in a professional right away to diagnose the problem or replace your furnace.
5. Strange Noises
If you hear any unusual banging, rattling, popping, or squealing noises coming from your furnace, this yet another telltale sign. Old furnaces will begin to make these noises and they should become significantly louder the older a furnace becomes.
Another strange sound to listen out for is the excessive running of the furnace blower. If the blower constantly switches on and off or blows cold air, this could be a sign your furnace needs to be replaced.
6. Unusual Health Symptoms
As a furnace ages, it runs the risk of developing cracks in the heat exchanger. If carbon monoxide is being created by an old furnace, this gas could leak into your home and affect you and your family.
Look out for unusual health issues- frequent headaches, dizziness, nausea, burning in the eyes or nose and even flu-like symptoms.
If you or your family begin to experience any of these symptoms, make sure to open the windows and air out your home. Cracks in the heat exchanger can take place without anyone even noticing. So take note of these symptoms and call in a professional right away.
7. An Overly Dry or Dusty Home
An old, overused furnace will lose its ability to clean and add moisture to the air in your home. This can make your home feel very stuffy and dry.
To add to this, it can flare up allergies and create excessive amounts of dust. Look out for drooping indoor plants, cracked furniture, out-of-tune musical instruments, and constant static shock. These are all signs of a very dry home environment and the need for furnace replacement!
Looking for Expert Heating Repair or Replacement?
If you’re in need of furnace replacement, look no further than Yazd Mechanical- local experts in airconditioning and heating repair and maintenance.
With over 15 years’ industry experience, we can do it all, from repair, maintenance, installation, and more. Contact us today for a professional evaluation of your home’s heating system…