Homeowner pop quiz: what are the signs to look for when your aging furnace has reached the end of its life?
Is it obvious--like when it stops suddenly one cold winter day and no longer has a heartbeat?
Or can it be more subtle--with moans or groans coming from the basement, as the furnace's lungs struggle to blow hot air?
Not sure? No worries. We're here to help you find out if you need a new furnace - and how to save big on one, too.
The reality is that not all furnaces grow old gracefully over their lifespans. Many kick the bucket suddenly on the coldest night of a harsh Canadian winter, just when your family needs home heating the most.
So, if you are the owner of a furnace that is 8-years old or older, now is the time to evaluate if your home heating is like a well-oiled machine--or on its last legs.
Read on to learn the seven signs that you need a new home furnace now.
1. You See Increases In Your Heating Bill
It can be considered a warning sign that your furnace is in need of maintenance, if your heating bill rises unexpectedly.
A sudden increase in your heating bill could be a harbinger that you need a new furnace shortly.
Scrutinize your heating bills from previous months to determine if there are any discrepancies with you current bill.
It is important to analyze the amount of energy your furnace is using in contrast to the variance in dollar amounts between bills.
If your heating bill is increasing but your energy use remains static, it could mean that your furnace's energy efficiency has diminished.
2. You Notice Your Home Is Dry Or Dusty
At the end of your heating system's life, it can struggle to keep the air clean and moisturized.
In the winter season, the air is cold and dry. If you suddenly suffer from sinuses or dry skin, it could be because you have extremely dry air in your home. Reasons for dryness could be an air leak causing humidity to escape outside, a home humidifier being set too low, or a furnace on its last legs.
Combustion in your older furnace involves drying the air in your home in order to create a vacuum in the home’s envelope. The air is sucked dry from outdoors, pulled inside under doors and through cracks and crevices around windows or in the building’s structure.
A modern day furnace uses outdoor air for combustion and allows the home to better maintain its indoor humidity level.
It could be that your air purifier may not be working correctly, if you notice excessive dust powdering your furniture.
Or, it could be one of the signs that you need a new home heating system.
3. You Feel Uneven Temperature Zones Throughout Your Home
If you notice unevenly distributed heat in your home, this too could be a sign that your heating and ventilation system could be failing.
When your furnace is working properly, the temperature from room to room should feel the same. A house with cold zones could mean that your ventilation ducts need to be cleaned, your windows and doors need to be re-sealed, or your aging furnace is struggling to maintain the right temperature balance.
An issue of uneven temperature zones in your home should be thoroughly investigated.
4. You Hear Strange Noises Coming From The Basement
If you wake up in the middle of the night and think you hear a burglar prowling downstairs, it could be your older furnace!
Although the hum of a well-maintained furnace is music to one's ears: banging, rattling, squeaking and other concerning sounds let you know something is wrong with your furnace.
Do you hear your furnace's blower turning on and off sporadically? Or is it blowing cool or cold air? If so, do call out a professional to inspect your furnace blower motor.
It's hard to admit, but once you hear these unwelcome sounds, it could be a sign that your furnace is nearing the end of its life.
5. You Observe Rust On The Furnace
Take it from someone who has been there: rust is never a good sign when you see it on your furnace, or on the floor around it. In the worst case scenario, there might be corrosion inside the furnace--which in scientific terms means it's pooched.
This could mean that your furnace is working a lot harder than normal to heat your home--and you might need to quickly replace your furnace.
6. You Spot A Yellow Furnace Flame (WARNING!)
If you spot a yellow pilot light in your furnace instead of blue, get your family out of your home immediately.
The flame turns yellow when deadly carbon monoxide is being produced by your older, or broken furnace.
Once you & your family are safely out of your home, you will need to call the professionals for help right away.
7. You Have Repaired Your Furnace Several Times Already
Does the furnace tech know you on a first name basis because your furnace breaks down regularly? Are you paying for more than simple furnace maintenance on a regular basis?
If so, it might be time to stop the service calls and buy a new furnace - it just doesn't make sense to pay for the same home heating repair, time after time.
Buying a new furnace is a sound investment that will save you money in the long run.
To ensure your HVAC system is good working order, a technician should annually inspect your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
Contact a Local Home Comfort Advisor Today
Although the above signs might mean that you need a new home furnace, if you're still not sure whether it's time, give us a call.
We can help determine if your furnace needs a simple tune-up, a repair, or if it needs to be replaced altogether.
Need to buy a furnace now? We have great financing offers to help you save:
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