Your furnace plays a very important role in your home, and it’s something you need to take care of regularly. After all, your furnace is the hub of your heating and cooling systems, and if it isn’t working properly, it could make your home uncomfortable during very hot or very cold temperatures. While there are plenty of HVAC repair options you can do to maintain your furnace, there will come a time when it needs to be replaced, not just repaired. Check out the following six signs your furnace needs to be replaced, and then be sure to take care of it soon before it’s too late.
1. Age
The age of your furnace is the biggest factor in if it should be replaced or not. While furnaces will last a long time, they will not last forever. If your furnace is older than 15 years old, it may be time for a replacement. Be sure to keep an eye on it once it’s reached this age to be sure it’s getting the repairs and maintenance it needs.
In addition, if you do not have an ENERGY STAR furnace, it’s something you should consider moving forward. These furnaces will help you save a significant amount on your energy usage, which will also save you money. If you do not have an ENERGY STAR appliance, then you’ll want to consider replacing it for the benefit of your home.
2. Heating Bill
Pay attention to your bills, especially during the winter months when your heat is running. If you notice that your heating bill is significantly higher than it has been in years past, then it could be a sign your furnace is failing. As your furnace ages, the parts and pieces start to wear out, and this will allow gas to leak. When this occurs, repairing these parts usually isn’t an option. Instead, you’ll want to replace it.
3. Constant Maintenance
While you should perform regular maintenance on your furnace annually to keep it functioning properly, it shouldn’t take more than that to keep it working. However, if you have had constant repairs on your furnace during the past few years, or if you’ve dealt with the same problem more than once, it’s a sign your furnace should be replaced. Paying large amounts of money to maintain your furnace doesn’t make sense when you should just pay to have it replaced with one that’s new.
4. Noises
Your furnace will give you warning signs when it’s not working, and this is usually in the form of strange noises. If you notice your furnace making noise, whether loud or quiet, it’s something that could be a sign it’s not functioning properly and needs to be replaced. Pay attention to these sounds, and if they are loud and banging or even squealing in any way, then it’s likely something is not working properly and you should replace it as soon as possible.
5. Flame
Your furnace provides a flame that you can see, and this is a telltale sign of whether your furnace is working properly. For instance, a safe and proper flame should be blue in color, so peek at the flame and see if it’s blue. If it is, your furnace should be okay. However, if your furnace is yellow in color, then it’s a sign you are leaking carbon monoxide, and this is not only bad for your furnace, but bad for your health and safety as well. If you notice your flame is yellow, turn off the furnace and leave your home as soon as possible. In addition, be sure to call the local fire department as well as an HVAC specialist to properly handle the situation and get you and your house back to normal.
6. Comfort Level
Your furnace shouldn’t have to work hard to maintain a comfortable level of warmth in your home. However, if you notice that you have to constantly change the thermostat settings to keep comfortable, then it’s a big sign your furnace isn’t working properly. If this occurs, be sure to have an expert come in and check it out.
Your furnace is important to your home, and when it’s in need of replacement, it’s something you should do right away. Leaving a bad furnace running will not only cost you a lot in your heating expenses, but it could also put you and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Be sure to have this replaced as soon as possible by a professional, and this is a dangerous DIY project to tackle.