Staying alert to the changes within your home is the best way to know when some systems are failing. Has your home started to feel a little less warm? Have you been hearing strange noises from the furnace or have you noticed some changes in the physical appearance of your furnace? It is time to pay closer attention to the signs your furnace may show, indicating it’s on its last feet. But do you know what to look for when picking out these indicators? Below are some key indicators that your furnace could be going out.
1. THE AGE OF THE FURNACE
With age, it’s typical for furnaces to start failing. Usually, furnaces have a lifespan of 15-20 years. How old is your furnace? If it approaches or surpasses this age range, it might become less efficient and prone to failure issues. The best thing is that, as your furnace approaches this age, you can be prepared before its inevitable complete failure. Check the information label attached to the unit to determine its age or get this information online since most manufacturers avail their manuals online. You can also ask your maintenance team whether your system needs repair or replacement. If the furnace is beyond its expected lifespan, it’s only logical to replace it instead of repair. Age is the first indicator of whether or not you need a new furnace.
2. INCREASED HEATING BILLS
A sudden spike in your heating bills without a corresponding increase in usage is another clear indicator that your furnace is failing. The increase could result from the furnace overworking to produce the same heat. Sometimes, finding the cause is easy, as frigid weather could have the furnace working excessively to raise the heat. However, broken mechanical elements are the leading cause of a sudden surge in heating bills. Getting your HVAC technician to tune-up your furnace will help reduce the heating bills and improve your home’s energy efficiency. The tune-up will extend the life of your furnace, but it is essential to consult with the technician on when it would be good to consider a replacement.
3. STRANGE NOISES AND ODORS
Have you heard unusual sounds such as banging, popping, rattling, or squealing in your furnace? This is an indicator that there are problems within your furnace. These noises are often a result of loose components, worn-out belts, or even failing motors. The sounds are often frustrating and stressful and are hard to miss. A new furnace produces an odor when turned off, but the smell quickly dissipates. However, persistent odors like burning or dusty smells should not be ignored. Ignoring the sounds or smells can cause future problems or even result in the complete failure of your furnace.
4. YELLOW PILOT LIGHT
A gas furnace uses natural light to warm the air. The flame of your pilot light should typically burn in a blue color. If it appears yellow, this indicates a problem with gas combustion within the furnace and a potential release of carbon monoxide. Leaking carbon monoxide is fatal. This issue requires immediate attention from your technician. It is essential to consider installing carbon monoxide detectors near your furnace and throughout your home to alert you of possible leaks. Check whether your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, dirty burner, or poor ventilation, hider the gas from venting away and results in carbon monoxide leaks.
5. FREQUENT REPAIRS
Have you noticed that you regularly call for furnace repairs? Regular system maintenance, often twice per year, is expected. Increasing the need for repairs may suggest that your furnace’s overall health is compromised and may need replacement. The repairs could result from wear and tear, unreliability, and energy inefficiency. It is important to note that frequent repairs lead to cumulative wear and tear and repairing becomes a recurring necessity. Additionally, with constant repairs, the furnace becomes more unreliable. When you realize that your furnace has been demanding frequent repairs, it’s essential to consider how much financial strain it puts on you and whether it’s time to replace it.
6. VISIBLE SIGNS OF CRACKS AND RUST
Examine your furnace regularly and check for any cracks, corrosion, and rust on the surface. Cracks, especially on the heat exchanger, compromise the system’s working ability. The heat exchanger is responsible for transferring heat to the air and cracks will reduce its efficiency. The cracks lead to inefficient heating and an eventual spike in energy consumption. There is also the risk of gas leaks in cracked gas furnaces and corroded pipes may allow gas to escape into the house. Corroded parts contribute to poor air quality; as the air flows through these parts, it picks up corroded particles and distributes them in the room. These issues all contribute to the eventual going out of your furnace. Checking for corroded, cracked, or rusted parts will save you from problems.
7. INCONSISTENT HEATING
Do some rooms in your house feel colder or warmer than others? This is the typical sign that your furnace is not evenly heating the rooms. Inconsistent heating often results from thermostat malfunctions. A failing furnace may struggle to respond to thermostat settings, resulting in an inability to regulate the temperature. Additionally, clogged or blocked vents restrict airflow into some rooms, resulting in the experienced difference in room temperatures. A failed heat exchanger could be the root cause if it cannot transfer and evenly distribute heat to the air. There are several potential reasons why there is inconsistent heating within rooms in your house but at the basis of it is a failing furnace.
8. INCREASED DUST AND DRY AIR
A failing furnace may struggle to effectively filter air, allowing dust and debris into the house. This could be because of clogged, damaged, and dirty filters. If the filters are not regularly cleaned or replaced, they compromise the air quality flowing into the house.
The furnace is also responsible for regulating the indoor humidity. A poorly functioning furnace can fail to maintain the optimal humidity level, leading to dry air flowing into the room. Incomplete fuel burning can produce excessively dry heat and contribute to the dry air. Poor ventilation can also result in pockets of stagnant air where dust accumulates and the perception of dryness in the air. Increased or persistent dust and dry air in your home is an adequate sign that your furnace might be going out and it is time to contact your HVAC technician.
Recognizing these indicators does not require professional expertise; you can identify them using this helpful guide. Addressing these issues may involve regular maintenance tasks and consulting with a professional HVAC technician is advisable.
Are you looking for an HVAC company, plumber, and electrician? At Garrett Mechanical, we offer total home solutions to our clients in Marietta, GA. We have over two decades of experience providing heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing services. Our company is more than just a business; it is a team dedicated to making a difference in your life, offering services around the clock to ensure that your homes and businesses have expert care whenever needed. Contact Garrett Mechanical today to book an appointment and let our dedicated team positively impact your life.
