Furnace
Six Signs You Need a New Furnace
1. Your furnace is more than 15 years old.
Unfortunately, furnaces don’t last forever. The typical life expectancy for a furnace is around 15-20 years. In addition, in evaluating any given unit, there is no clear answer to knowing it’s “expiration date.” Be cautious as your furnace reaches its last quarter of its life. Although, even if the furnace is old, it may be unwise to replace a fully functioning furnace only for the mere reason that it’s old. Although, knowing the age of your furnace will give your HVAC technician context of what the issue may be.
2. Your bills have gone up
The furnace in your home is typically the biggest energy consumer, its efficiency level directly affects your bills. Your furnace may need some attention if you notice a jump in your energy bill compared to previous years. Although, by keeping your furnace well maintained, its functionality will perform at its peak.
3. Your house is warming up as it used to
Obvious to some, but an easy indicator of knowing when you need a new furnace is when you attempt to turn on your furnace and it doesn’t fully heat your home, this calls for some concern with your furnace. There could be many reasons for you furnace to be not fully working and the best thing to do is call your local HVAC technician.
4. Your home has become abnormally dusty
Dust within any home is normal. Although, if you’re seeing an influx of dust, it might be an indication of your furnace not removing airborne particles from the warmed air. If you believe this is happening to your furnace, check the furnace filter and replace it if necessary. To keep a healthy furnace, it is important to create a habit of replacing your filter. Permanent damage can be caused to the internal furnace components if the filter isn’t replaced routinely.
5. The furnace looks, smells, and sounds differently
Your senses can guide you towards knowing what may be affecting your furnace. Standing next to your furnace can give you some insights on your furnace’s condition. Look for cracks and corrosion while listening for any unfamiliar noises. If you hear squealing and screeching, your furnace’s blower might need to be adjusted. If you hear grinding or banging, your furnace might need to be repaired or replaced. Another odd indicator that something is wrong with your furnace is if you smell a musty aroma lingering a few days after being turned on.
6. Your furnace isn’t properly cycling
A furnace than operates without issues has cycles in which it turns off and on. When the temperature within the home dips under its set temperature, the furnace turns on in order to achieve the targeted temperature. Once the thermostat senses that the targeted temperature has been reached, the furnace turns off, and the cycle continues. If your furnace is constantly turning on and off or seem to be always on, there is a high chance that your furnace isn’t working as designed.