5 Signs You Need a Furnace Repair
Your furnace runs like a well-oiled machine. Until it doesn’t. Then you’re in for a world of hurt with cold, bitter days and nights.
Furnaces are built to last about fifteen years. While that may seem like forever, it is most certainly not and that could mean your furnace is due for replacement.
If you’ve had the repair man out on your furnace more than once in the past couple of years for more than just routine maintenance, it could be time for a new furnace. Furnace repair should be at the top of your list if you’re experiencing any issues that are out of the ordinary.
Here, we’re breaking down a list of the top five reasons you may need to have your furnace replaced. Keep reading to learn more.
The 15 Year Rule
The average lifespan of a furnace is about 12-15 years. That means it could last ten years or twenty years depending on how well you’ve maintained the unit.
Furnace repair is the best thing you can do for your furnace throughout the life of the unit. This will ensure that your unit makes it to the 15-year threshold. But if it’s been nearly 15 years since you replaced your furnace, it might be time for an upgrade.
Older furnace units are not as energy efficient as newer models and you may notice an increase in your heating bill as the unit ages. The unit may not be heating as efficiently either, causing you to turn up the thermostat and run up your energy bills even more.
As a rule of thumb, you should have your furnace inspected annually. Every two years at least. This will keep your unit running efficiently and the person doing the furnace repair can notify you if the mechanisms are going bad before the unit crashes in the middle of winter.
Strange Noises
If your unit is turning on and off repeatedly or frequently you should think about having your unit replaced.
The heat may not be arriving at your thermostat in a timely fashion which is causing the thermostat to run the heater every time it indicates that the temperature has dropped. This could be as little as one degree if your furnace isn’t running properly. While it could be your thermostat causing the issue, it’s a safe bet that your HVAC unit is giving out.
A furnace is built to be as soundless as possible so if you hear noises that sound out of the ordinary like clinks and clangs or heavy moans, it’s probably your furnace telling you it wants to die. Be especially aware of noises coming directly from the unit itself and try not to pay attention to the sounds of the ductwork that may occasionally expand and contract, making normal sounds.
Temperature Maintenance
Is your unit blowing cool or cold air? Or perhaps it goes back and forth from blowing warm to cool air back to warm again. This is a major indicator of a furnace that has seen its day.
Or, maybe the unit is blowing air but it’s coming out weakly from the vents. This is also a sign that furnace repair or replacement is in your near future.
Cool or cold blowing air could be a sign of a minor problem, like a fan. But the older your unit, the more likely your technician will recommend a new replacement in lieu of fixing the issue.
These types of repairs can add up quickly if you’re having to call the technician more than once in a season. That means it could be more cost efficient for you to replace the unit anyway.
If you can’t maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, you need furnace repair at very least, immediately.
High Energy Bills
When your furnace works harder than it has to or it’s not working properly in the first place, your energy bills are going to show the proof.
As your unit ages, it might be a good idea to monitor your energy usage during the months when the furnace is running. Do this for a couple of seasons and if you notice an increase where other energy has not been used, take a look at having furnace maintenance performed.
Your repairman can tell you whether or not the unit is causing high energy bills and what can be done to remedy the problem. Keep in mind that if your furnace is over ten years old, the recommendation will be a replacement of the unit.
Poor Air Quality
As an HVAC unit ages, it may not be venting toxic gases out of your home proficiently. If you or your family are experiencing headaches during the closed in cold months, it could be a sign that your unit is emitting these gases and is about to expire.
If you notice that your home is stuffy or has an unusual smell, it could be due to a leak in your furnace. The gases emitted contain carbon monoxide which is harmful to your health.
If you notice funny smells or experience headaches for seemingly no reason at all, call for furnace repair right away!
Scheduling Your Furnace Repair
Once you’ve gone over your list and checked it twice with regard to the proper functioning of your furnace, it’s time to call the repairman.
Don’t allow yourself to become stressed out with this task. Simply prepare yourself with key points and questions that you’d like to discuss with your repairman before he or she arrives. When they arrive, make sure to provide them with detailed information about what you know and don’t know about the unit up until this point.
When you’re ready to get your furnace up and running and ready for winter, contact us for superior service.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
