When you have a functioning furnace, you aren’t even aware it is working; you just know you have a comfortable home when it is cold outside. Shopping for a new furnace when there are freezing temperatures outside requires quick decisions and doesn’t allow you time to gather enough information to make the best decision for your household and your budget.
Wouldn’t you rather have the time to prepare for this home project, rather than being caught in a pinch with an inoperable heating system in the dead of winter?
The following information explains some of the signs of a furnace that is reaching the end of its life.
Age of Furnace
A typical furnace in homes today has an average life span of about 15-18 years, give or take a couple of years. Consider the age of your heating system as you continue reading the remaining warning signs that a furnace is better off being replaced.
Loss of Heating Efficiency
An inefficient furnace means your fuel bills will increase. A furnace that is dying may run constantly because it is incapable of producing heat consistently. You may have some rooms that are warm and some rooms that are not. The furnace will have to run longer to produce the same amount of heat that it used to produce. You may not only feel the loss of efficiency but also see it with an increase in your utility bills.
Parts Replacements
When you notice your furnace isn’t up to par, you may need to replace a component, such as the flame sensor–which may only be the beginning. Next, you may have to replace the gas burner relay. The fan blade might be next. When the igniter goes out, you might think about replacing the whole furnace instead of just the igniter. Typically, the last two years in the life of a furnace are spent having repairs done. Why not save all the money you would have spent on repairs on a new furnace?
Unsettling Noises
The troubling sounds a failing furnace might make are metal rubbing on metal, whining, bangs, pops, and squeals. These sounds can mean a number of things; some may be normal, but others could be a telltale sign that a bigger issue is occurring. The more abnormal sounds you begin to hear, the more your system may be telling you that it is reaching the end of its life.
Crack In The Heat Exchanger
If you’ve had a tune-up completed on your furnace recently, you’ll want to make sure that your heat exchanger gets a good report. This component of your system should be inspected thoroughly to ensure that there are no cracks in it. A cracked heat exchanger can result in a very dangerous situation: a carbon monoxide leak. If a crack in the heat exchanger has been found in your furnace, you’ll want to start thinking about furnace replacement, as it is often more cost-effective to replace the whole furnace altogether, rather than just that heat exchanger.
Experiencing any of the above issues? Let our team help determine the most recommended and cost-effective solution for your home.
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