The winter will be here before you know it. That means it’s time to start thinking about if your furnace is up for the challenge. If your furnace were to stop working in the coldest months, it could be an extremely inconvenient time for you and your family.
You may be wondering how you will know if your furnace is at risk of giving out on you this winter. The good news is that there are some very clear signs that indicate an issue with your furnace. However, some of them are more subtle and require you to seek them out actively. Here are five signs that your furnace may need replacement.
Noises Coming From Your Furnace
The first and most alarming sign to some is weird noises that come from your furnace when there is a malfunction. Things like clicking could mean your flame sensor light has an issue and that furnace is giving out. Rattling that may indicate you have loose equipment is a sign that your furnace has accumulated a lot of wear and tear.
Some noises like a loud booming may indicate that you have issues with gas emission. Not only should you replace your furnace, but you should also take extreme precautions when dealing with this issue. Unfortunately, problems like this are sometimes accompanied by a gas leak, meaning that your home is becoming a health risk and fire hazard.
Increasing Bills
Another sign that your furnace may be at the end of its life span is a slow or immediate increase in your energy bills. If you are unsure about your increasing bill, begin to keep track of them over the colder months. If you see a steady increase over the years, it is a sign that your system is worsening and possibly in need of replacement.
A sudden larger increase in your bill could mean that your furnace is running extremely inefficiently. The cause of this problem could vary, although many of the issues that would cause a sharp increase in your energy bill can indicate that it is time to search for a new one.
An Aging Furnace
On average, furnaces will last 15-20 years. However, you can significantly increase the lifespan of your furnace by keeping it in good shape. Making sure that your furnace receives regular maintenance and prompt repairs can add years to how long our furnace will last. Although, around the 15-year mark, it’s time to begin searching for a replacement.
An electric furnace could last 20-30 years. However, if you have a gas furnace that has made it into the later years, it’s essential that you replace it before you have a sudden issue that would cause an immediate replacement.
Soot
As your furnace ages, it becomes more likely to malfunction and produce carbon dioxide. When this happens, you will likely begin to see the signs around the furnace register. Soot and dust will form on and around the register and grille. If you notice this, it’s a reliable sign that your system is in need of an upgrade.
Continuous Repairs
Although keeping up with your maintenance and repairs is important for the lifespan of your system, there is a point where it is more cost-effective to invest in a new furnace. If you’ve seen an increase in the number of repairs you’ve had over the months or years, it’s likely you have issues that are a result of wear and tear.
While these types of issues are fixable and may solve a problem in the meantime, another one is almost certain to happen soon. That’s because parts of your furnace are reaching past their expected lifespan daily, and one by one, they are failing. So, if you are constantly repairing your furnace, then now is a good time to invest in a new one.
Your Heating Experts
Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc. brings over 40 years of experience in heating and cooling services for both residential and commercial buildings, indoor air quality, and customer service to the community. We are your personal furnace experts that will help keep your home warm for years to come. All of our furnaces come with a 10-year limited parts warranty and will protect your home from contaminants. So, if you feel it’s time for your home to upgrade to a new furnace in Downers Grove or the surrounding area, call us today.
