No one likes to be told that their furnace needs to be replaced. Often times we spring for repairs and repairs and repairs, our furnace “nickel and diming” us every chance it gets. How can you know when you need to just replace it rather than repair a part of it? Is there a way to know for sure if you have a failing furnace?
- Weird Noises
Do you hear clunking, rattling, buzzing, or any other variation of a noise you may not have heard before? If you start hearing strange noises when your heating system is running, it might be time to consider replacing your furnace as you may have a failing furnace. Sometimes a pop, squeak, or squeal may indicate the need for a repair rather than an outright replacement, but you should be on the lookout for any strange noises anyway. No one wants to be stranded on the coldest night of the year without heat.
- Increased Heating Bills
Has your consumption of oil, propane, natural gas, or electricity suddenly and drastically increased? The culprit could be your furnace. Older units are much less energy efficient as newer units, and the longer their life, the less efficient they become over time. A failing furnace can be much less efficient than a working one.
- No Heat or Cold Air
Yikes! You’ll probably notice this problem pretty quickly. If your furnace just isn’t putting out hot air at all, it could be signs of a major problem. You’ll want to speak with an HVAC technician to get the full scoop as to why your furnace isn’t producing as hot (or not hot at all) air as it used to. Your HVAC technician will be able to diagnose if you have a failing furnace or not.
- Lots of Little Repairs
A furnace that is going out may start asking little repairs constantly. Much like cars, as furnaces age, the more things will need to be replaced on them. Maybe some wiring one month, and then a blower motor the next. The availability of the parts you need can also indicate how well a repair may go, and whether you should start thinking about replacing your slowly failing furnace. The older a furnace gets, the harder it is to find parts for it. If you can’t even find a manual online for your furnace, it’s probably time to consider replacing it.
- Your Furnace Is Old
The average life expectancy of a furnace is between 16 and 20 years. If your furnace is that old or well over that age, you might want to start shopping around for a new one before an emergency situation occurs.
If you don’t know how old your furnace is, answer this question: does your furnace have a pilot light? If so, it’s certain to be over 25 years old!
Need to talk to an HVAC pro about your furnace? We’ve got you covered. Contact us today!
