Nobody wants to wake up shivering in the middle of the night because their old furnace finally ran its last cycle, and it’s certainly inconvenient to get stuck with a furnace that just isn’t doing its job well enough. But how do you know if you need to replace your furnace?
There are numerous signs you can watch out for to figure out if it’s time for furnace replacement:
Age
With proper maintenance, a furnace can last 15-20 years, heating your home for what seems like forever. However, not all furnaces last this long, and a furnace over 10 years old will likely be more prone to deterioration. If your furnace is over 15 years old and you notice other signs that it needs to be replaced, have it inspected by a professional.
Frequent Repairs
If your furnace is older or it hasn’t been maintained very well in the past, you may notice that it needs repairs more frequently. This is normal to an extent, but not if it seems like your heater is always being repaired. Especially if the repairs are expensive, it may be better to replace the system rather than continue paying for frequent fixes.
Rising Heating Bills
Nobody wants their energy bill to skyrocket, which is why most homeowners are attentive when it comes to their bills. Look for these signs of a problem in your energy bill:
- Unusually high bills
- Slowly rising bills up to an abnormal amount
- High bills even if you rarely use your heater.
Monitor your energy bills. A spike in energy usage could indicate a problem that needs repair, and you may learn that your furnace just isn’t efficient enough to keep around.
Inefficient Heating
Sometimes you can tell that your heating isn’t up to par by the way it feels before you notice decreased efficiency in your energy bills. If there are hot and cold spots around your home or it feels like your furnace isn’t warming you up no matter how high you set the thermostat, there’s definitely a problem.
The Pilot Light is Yellow
If your furnace’s pilot light is burning yellow instead of blue, there could be a serious problem. Have an HVAC professional inspect it immediately. If this is a problem you must have repaired often, you may need a new furnace.
Strange Noises and Odors
A properly operating furnace, even an old one, should operate fairly quietly and with no persistent bad odors. If your furnace makes any loud noises while running and you can’t find any loose pieces, call a professional to help diagnose the problem. If there are odd smells coming from your furnace, do the same.
Remember that the smell of rotten eggs is the smell of gas. Evacuate immediately if you smell gas in your home.
Unlike gas, carbon monoxide has no odor, color or taste. This makes carbon monoxide detectors essential to any home that uses natural gas. If the detectors go off or you show symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, evacuate the home and call 911 for medical assistance.
If you’re looking for furnace replacement in the Sacramento area, Big Mountain Heating & Air Conditioning is the choice for you. We offer the high-quality services you deserve at an affordable price.
Contact us today to begin a service request.