A furnace is one of those wonderful appliances that can keep you warm and cozy during the coldest months of the year. Every home heating system relies on a good foundation and an efficient, powerful furnace is that foundation. Of course, nothing lasts forever and eventually it’s out with the old and in with the new. Here are 7 signs you need a new furnace:
- Rising Energy Bills
As a furnace gets older, it will start losing its efficiency. You may have to run it longer to heat the same amount of space, and your energy bills will go up as a result. Perhaps gradually at first, but over time the extra you spend on your bills each month could be paying for a new furnace.
- Frequent Repairs
Most of the break downs in a furnace happen within the final two years of its life. If yours seems to need multiple repairs every year, it’s probably time to get a new one.
- Unusual Noises
No furnace is silent, but as it moves toward the end it just might make some noises you never thought a furnace could make. Bangs, pops, rattles, squeaks and hums are all part of the equation when you’re looking at the reality of an aging furnace.
- Not Enough Power
If your provider didn’t install your furnace well, or if you’ve made additions to the house a long the way, it might not have enough power. If this happens to you, it’s probably wise to consider a replacement because the one you have isn’t doing its job, and it will break down sooner anyway from always working so hard.
- A Yellow Flame
Furnaces should always have a blue pilot light and if yours burns yellow, it could mean the presence of carbon monoxide. You should already have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, but if you don’t, now is the time to get one. Carbon monoxide has no colour or odor, but it can be fatal if not kept under control.
- Age
If your furnace makes it to the 25-year mark and hasn’t suffered many setbacks, consider yourself lucky and move on. There is such a thing as ‘pushing your luck’ with a furnace, and it yours makes it to 25 without any major break downs, they probably aren’t far away.
- Fluctuating Temperatures
A furnace is all about comfort, and if it stops distributing the heat evenly to different rooms, that comfort wish is out the window. No one likes having one room colder than the next inside the same house. If you notice temperature fluctuations from room to room, see if it isn’t time for a replacement.
If you are experiencing any of these signs with your home’s furnace, contact the professionals at Laird & Son today. Our furnace professionals can inspect your furnace and advise you whether any maintenance is required, or if you need to replace your unit. We offer many energy efficient furnace models to choose from to improve your home’s heating system. Contact us today for more information.