As the seasons begin to change, you’ll be using your furnace before you know it. The autumn is the best time to make sure that your furnace is functioning properly, because come January you’ll want to be warm and cozy. United Home Comfort of Bowling Green can replace and repair your furnace with ease; however, there are warning signs you should be aware of as you assess your furnace this year and determine whether a replacement is necessary or not.
The furnace warning signs include:
Your gas and electric bills are going up
The rising gas and electric prices are not the only reason for high bills. Furnaces often lose efficiency as they age, particularly when they’re not properly maintained. As a result, your furnace might run longer to provide the same amount of heat and this causes gas and electric bills to go up.
You’ve already repaired it once in the last two years
As furnaces age, you can replace one part only to have to replace another part the next year. Spending $500 to keep an old furnace running isn’t difficult. Furnaces incur the most breakdowns during their last two years. As your furnace ages, it becomes more difficult to get replacement parts and will lead to a lot of waiting around.
Your furnace is getting old
An average furnace life is between 16 and 20 years and if your furnace is close to this age or older, it’s time to start shopping. If you’re shopping for a furnace in an emergency, you won’t have time to make the best decision. Most prefer to replace their furnace as a planned home improvement choice instead of when it is faltering or failed. Check your furnace for a pilot light and if it has one, the unit is probably over 25 years old.
It’s making strange sounds
Old furnaces make strange banging, popping, rattling and squealing noises as they reach the end of their life. Another noise to watch out for is the furnace blower running excessively. If the blower turns on and off frequently or blows cold air sometimes, it is a sign you need a new furnace.
Your thermostat doesn’t keep you comfortable
If some rooms are too cold and others are too hot, or you’re always adjusting the thermostat, this could be a sign that your furnace can properly distribute the air. A new furnace will circulate air properly so you stay comfortable.
The burner flame is yellow instead of blue
A flickering yellow flame might be a sign that poisonous carbon monoxide could be created by your furnace. Other signs of carbon monoxide include: streaks of soot, absence of an upward chimney draft, excess moisture on windows, walls or other cold surfaces, excessive rusting on flue pipes, other pipe connections or appliance jacks, small amounts of water leaking from the chimney base, vent or flue pipe and rust on the visible portion of a vent pipe.
You and your family have been feeling sick
If anyone in your house is experiencing frequent headaches, a burning feeling in nose or eyes, nausea, disorientation or flu-like symptoms it could be carbon monoxide leakage. This can be deadly after a certain amount of time, so you need to air your house and immediately call a gas service technician. Cracks in the furnace’s heat exchanger often go undetected and they are common as the unit ages.
The house is dry or dusty
An old furnace doesn’t moisturize or clean the air in your home, so it may feel stuffy or stale. If anyone suffers from allergies to dust, mold, pollen or dander or experiences a dry nose, dry throat or dry skin, it probably means your furnace isn’t functioning correctly. Frequent dust accumulation, static shocks, drooping plants, furniture cracks and out-of-tune musical instruments are all signs that suggest your furnace isn’t working.
