5 Warning Signs Your Home Needs a New Furnace

A furnace plays an essential role in heating your home. The most advanced of these systems have humidifiers to improve your indoor air quality. Proper care and maintenance are required to ensure it serves you for an extended period. Unfortunately, there comes a time when changing to a new one becomes inevitable. Below are indications you require a new furnace in your household.

bread-furnace-firebox-kindling

1. The System is Making Strange Noises

Listening to your system can tell you more about its condition. It’s essential to pay attention and listen to any unfamiliar sounds. Unusual sounds such as rattling, clicking, whining, and squealing are common if your unit is near the end of its useful life. They result from motor failure, air leaks, and the blower fan continually running and turning on and off more often.

These are warnings that your system necessitates an upgrade in your home. Failure to replace leads to inefficiency and increases operational costs. Therefore, call your local contractor to replace your system with a better version suitable for your home.

2. Utility Bills Have Skyrocketed

Has your electricity bill strangely gone up in recent months? If you have been frequently maintaining your system, your energy expenses should not increase dramatically. If your utility bills have skyrocketed, it’s probably because the internal parts have experienced wear and tear, leading to inefficiency. Consequently, system components are required to work harder than usual, thus increasing energy consumption.

Moreover, your system might be working for longer hours. This is an indication that your system is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs an upgrade. An increase in operating cost is enough reason to install a new appliance. Installing a new system would be wise to save money on gas and electricity.

3. It Needs Frequent Repairs

Does your system give out once or twice a year, prompting you to call a technician to get it running again? Or do you call the expert repeatedly for the same problem? You don’t have to repair your furnace often. It is an indication that it’s starting to wear out, probably due to age, and is a sign that you need to buy a new furnace. Mostly, keeping your old system running is not worth the expense.

Add up the cost of the recent repairs and see if it’s enough to buy another one. In addition, check whether the cost is 50 percent the price of a new system. If the answers are yes, you need to upgrade your system the soonest.

4. Your System is Old

With excellent routine maintenance, your system lasts for 15 to 20 years. During the last quarter of their lifespan, most systems require repairs. At times, they are too pricey, more than the cost of acquiring a new appliance. Thus, it’s essential to have a planned upgrade during this time to prevent inconveniences if it breaks down in the middle of the winter. It is challenging to determine the age of the system if you found it well installed in your home. Check for the manual or the serial number if it’s still available.

If you cannot trace them, present a photo to the manufacturer to get accurate information. Consequently, you will not make mistakes in replacing a relatively new and fully functional system. Besides, it helps you put any performance problems in context.

5. The Burner Flame is Yellow Instead of Blue

At the very best, your appliance should produce a blue flame. It shows safe and efficient combustion; the gas is being burned entirely, and it’s not getting wasted. Moreover, the flames are hotter and use less gas to heat your home. Burning in a yellow or orange flame signifies you need to renew your unit. It shows incomplete combustion that results in efficiency.

In addition, hazardous emissions like carbon monoxide, which are harmful to your health, are produced. The odorless and colorless gas causes flu-like symptoms initially but can eventually kill you. It would be best to have carbon monoxide detectors in your home to protect you from this danger. Also, look for signs such as streaks of soot on the furnace or moisture on the windows to determine whether it’s producing toxic gases.

A furnace is one of the essential systems in your, especially during winter. Therefore, it’s vital to check its condition frequently. Keep on the lookout when your system needs replacement or repairs to promote efficiency and lengthen its lifespan.

Leave a Comment