Managing Your HVAC System

4 Common Signs That It Is Time To Replace Your Home's Furnace

During the freezing winter months, many people rely on their home's furnace to keep their house warm and cozy. Unfortunately, furnaces don't last forever, and the time will come when you need to replace your furnace with a new one. Ideally, you should upgrade your furnace before your old one fails completely so you don't have to live without heat in your home. Some of the common signs that a furnace is close to failing and should be replaced soon include:

Odd Sounds While Furnace is Running

Over time, you become accustomed to what your furnace sounds like when it is running. Typically, a furnace in good repair will not make a lot of noise while in operation. However, pay attention to your furnace and take notice if it begins making strange sounds when it is on. Sounds like banging, squealing, and popping often occur when the internal components begin breaking down. Don't ignore strange sounds from your furnace-- if it becomes increasingly loud, you should consider shopping for a replacement.

Uneven Heating

A furnace in good condition should not have a problem heating all of the rooms in your home evenly. But a furnace on its last legs typically becomes much less efficient and is no longer able to force out warm air at a continual rate to keep all areas of a house at a constant temperature. If you find that some rooms are suddenly drafty despite having the furnace on or if you notice that your constantly adjusting the thermostat in an attempt to get the whole house warm, it usually means that your furnace no longer has the power to distribute heat properly.

Unexplained Health Issues

If one or more people in your household begin to complain of headaches, burning, itchy eyes, disorientation, or nausea/vomiting, you should take the complaints very seriously. As a furnace grows older and begins to break down, small cracks of tiny holes can develop inside the heat exchanger, which can allow small amounts of carbon monoxide to seep into your home. Carbon monoxide is very toxic, so if you suspect that the gas may slowly be seeping from your furnace, it is essential to call a licensed HVAC company as soon as possible to have your furnace inspected.

Increase in Heating Bills

An old furnace that is nearing the end of its lifespan is not able to efficiently heat a home. As a result, the furnace will run longer and turn on more often, which can lead to a much larger than normal monthly heating bill. Pay attention to your heating bills, and compare them to previous winters. If your heating bills are substantially higher, it is probably time to buy a new, energy-efficient furnace. 

For more information, contact companies like Don's AC Service, Inc.


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