How long have you had your furnace? Is it working as well as it did when you first installed it? Furnaces are the some of the most efficient and effective heating systems you can buy, but they don’t last forever – most have about 10 – 15 good years in them, after which you may start to lose efficiency and need frequent furnace repair. If your furnace is starting to get old and you think you need furnace repair or furnace replacement, call Magnolia Heating & Air Conditioning today!
Signs That You Need Furnace Replacement
Full on furnace replacement is a big investment, so it’s important that you recognize the signs that tell you whether or not you really need it.
Your furnace is more than 10 years old -
Furnaces have a limited lifespan, one that starts drying up after the furnace gets to be more than 10 years old. As your furnace ages, it starts to lose efficiency. Meanwhile, newer furnace models come out that are much more efficient than your old one ever was – sometimes, furnace replacement can be a win-win!
Your heating bills are going up -
If your heating bills are rising faster than fuel prices, something is probably wrong with your furnace. If you’re thinking about furnace replacement, figure out much you could save on your heating bills with a new furnace, and if the savings justify the cost, call Magnolia!
You need frequent furnace repair -
As your furnace ages, it may start to need more frequent repairs – this is normal. However, as they approach the last 2 or 3 years of their lives they may need more and more repairs. If you find yourself paying almost as much in repairs as you paid for the furnace in the first place, this is a good sign that you need furnace replacement.
Your home’s heating is uneven -
If you set your thermostat and some rooms in your house are still too cold while others are too hot, you could have one of two problems: your ductwork could leaky need sealing, or your furnace is unable to effectively move heat through your home.
Your burner flame is yellow instead of blue -
If the flame on your burner is producing a yellow flame instead of a blue one, this means that something isn’t burning properly. As a result, you could have a serious problem – namely, that your furnace is creating carbon monoxide! Other signs of carbon monoxide creation are: visible soot around your furnace, no draft in your chimney, rust on pipes and jacks, moisture on windows, walls and other cold surfaces and water leaking from the base of your chimney, vent or flue pipe. Carbon monoxide is extremely hazardous, and if your furnace is producing it you need to have it repaired or go for full on furnace replacement immediately.
Your furnace is making strange noises -
Strange noises, such as banging, popping, rattling or squealing, are typically indicative of furnaces that have reached the end of their lifespan. In addition, if you can hear your blower fan running constantly, this is a sign that you might need furnace replacement.
If you’ve been experiencing any of the above symptoms and think you might need furnace replacement, call Magnolia Heating & Air Conditioning today!