The furnace is the backbone of your home’s heating system. When the temperature dips, the furnace kicks on and keeps your family nice and warm. Despite the importance of a furnace, many homeowners don’t give it the attention it deserves. That is until they’re shivering and realize that something may actually be wrong with the appliance. Consider these tips when pondering whether or not it is time to have your furnace replaced.
Is it Time to Have Your Furnace Replaced?
Don’t get stuck in the cold! Pay attention to your furnace and if you spot any of the following, it’s time to consider having it replaced.
Increased Utility Bills
It is true that the cost of energy does constantly fluctuate and heating utility bills do tend to go up in the winter. This is as the price of fuel oil often increases during the cold weather months and you’re relying on your furnace more. However, if it seems like your energy bills as skyrocketing despite the fact that there hasn’t been a marked increase in fuel and you haven’t made any changes to the amount of heat you’re using, then there’s a good chance that you may need to replace your furnace.
As the furnace ages, components can start to give out, it becomes less efficient. That’s because it has to work harder to heat your home. The harder it works, the more fuel it burns through. As a result, there is an increase in your utility expenses.
Excess Dirt, Dust, and Debris
Even when a furnace is functioning properly, dirt, dust, and debris buildup on the surfaces of every home. But, if it seems like there’s a lot more dirt and debris when your furnace is running – and that debris looks like it contains small rust particles or even soot – that could be a sign that the appliance is on its last legs. When a furnace starts to break down, it can blow soot and rust through the heat exchanges. That debris will be deposited on surfaces throughout your home.
Odd Sounds
Furnaces do make some degree of sound when they kick on. However, that sound is usually a gentle whir or hum that eventually fades into the background and is barely noticeable. You should call in a professional if you’re hearing odd sounds coming from your furnace. This includes banging, clunking, buzzing, grinding, polling, squealing, whirring or humming. One of the components may be malfunctioning, or it could simply mean that it’s reached its life-expectancy and is struggling to generate heat.
Changes to the Pilot Light
The pilot light on a properly functioning gas furnace should be bright blue in color. Check out the flame on a regular basis. If it looks like it has grown dimmer, if it’s flickering, or if there have been any changes to the color – it’s yellow or orange, for example – you need to call in a furnace professional right away. Changes to the pilot light indicate that the gas isn’t burning properly. This could also mean that carbon dioxide isn’t venting out of the system in a safe manner. Both issues could put you and your family at serious risk of danger.
Inconsistent Temperature
If it seems like you constantly have to adjust the setting on your thermostat and the temperature in your house still won’t get comfortable, it could simply be that your thermostat needs to be replaced. However, inconsistent temperatures could also be a sign that your furnace is on the fritz. If this is the case, it may be time to invest in a new one.
Constant Furnace Repairs
A furnace should be maintained by a professional at least once a year and there are times when one of the components may need to be replaced. If you’re constantly making calls to a repair technician, it’s probably time to replace the system. If your furnace is old, wasn’t installed properly, or was just a poorly made appliance and you are constantly calling to have it repaired, replace it instead. Doing so will actually save you more money in the long run.
Summing It Up
If you’re noticing any of the above-mentioned issues, get in touch with an HVAC professional right away. They’ll perform a full assessment of your furnace and will determine if it needs to be replaced.
Air Care Heating and Air Conditioning – Residential & Commercial HVAC Services in Omaha & Council Bluffs
Air Care Heating and Air Conditioning is a full-service HVAC company located in Council Bluffs & Omaha. We know how important well-functioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are to your home or business, especially living in the Midwest. No matter what your heating and cooling needs, we provide a variety of heating and cooling HVAC services committed to exceeding your expectations with 100% customer satisfaction. Contact us today for your routine maintenance service, repairs, or installation requests -and let us show you the difference.