Surprising as it may seem, the state of Pennsylvania experienced record amounts of snowfall in 2021. With cold winter weather this unpredictable, it’s important to take every precaution possible to be as prepared for the low temperatures as we can, as well as for all the potential challenges they might bring to your home.
Your house’s furnace may have gotten you through last winter, but if you don’t stay vigilant, you may not know your furnace needs replaced until it’s too late. It might already be time to buy a new furnace, and there are several surefire signs that the model you currently have might be on its last legs.
1. Too Old
The average lifespan of a furnace is between roughly 15 and 30 years. Furnaces lose their efficiency over time, and according to the Department of Energy, a furnace that’s too old can only operate at efficiency in about the 56% to 70% range.
It’s of course likely that your home was already equipped with its furnace before you moved in, but a quick look at its owner’s manual or model serial number can confirm its age. If the furnace is already over 15 years old, it may already be time to start looking for a replacement.
2. Loud or Strange Noises
There might be a chance that you notice your furnace is running louder than usual, or you hear all manner of bumps, rattles, creaks, or banging sounds. From leaks to loose ducts to a damaged blower motor, the sounds can mean any number of things…none of them good.
Some small causes, such as the clicking sound of a broken igniter, might be easy to repair, but the sounds more than likely mean it’s time for a new model.
3. Uneven Temperature Throughout Home
As you walk through your house, do certain rooms feel very different from others? Is your living room toasty, but your upstairs bedroom frigid? Do you find yourself adjusting the thermostat, hoping that might fix the imbalance?
As furnaces age past 15 years, they lose their ability to distribute heat throughout a home, especially over two stories. Such is a telltale sign that a furnace is far past its prime.
4. Rising Energy Bill
When you open your power bill, do you notice drastic differences compared to last month? No, you’re not going crazy, and no, you’re not being swindled.
Coupled with the prior point, as furnaces lose their efficiency, they require more power to achieve the same temperatures. Thus, if your model already has trouble distributing heat through your house, it might be burning extra energy to chase a temperature it can’t quite reach. If this becomes a trend you begin to notice, then you know without a doubt you need to upgrade your furnace.
5. Frequent Repairs Mean It’s Time to Buy a New Furnace
Sure, some furnace issues are simple fixes and can be repaired with a convenient appointment. But, the costs add up over time, and as we balance our busy lives, we might lose track of such expenses.
Like all cars, furnaces reach a point where the cost of constant maintenance outweighs the cost of trading them in. Furnaces often require the most repairs in their last two years of life, so if your model has needed multiple repairs in that span of time, then it may need to be swapped out.
6. Excessive Dust
Understandably, most homeowners rarely find themselves venturing near their furnace. But if you notice excessive dust in your home, or vents that seem strangely dusty no matter how many times you clean them, then it could be a sign that your furnace isn’t eliminating airborne particles from the warm, rising air as it should be.
Your furnace’s filter may require a replacement, but if the dust is particularly excessive, sooty, or develops an unusual, musty aroma, then it’s best to at least schedule a maintenance appointment right away.
7. Rusting and Cracks
As your furnace ages, its metal naturally corrodes. If you notice significant rusting on your furnace, then that’s perhaps the surest visual tell that it’s being pushed past its limits.
Remember that rusting only gets worse over time and can’t be reversed, so especially if your furnaces rusting has given way to cracks, then it’s time to switch it out.
8. Yellow Burner Flame Instead of Blue
Checking a furnace’s flame will always give you a good idea of its condition. An efficient, functional furnace should always produce a clean blue flame. However, if you instead notice a yellow flame, then that might be a sign that your furnace is producing carbon monoxide.
At best, a yellow flame could simply mean that your furnace isn’t burning fuel as cleanly and efficiently as it could, but at worst, it could mean an improper combustion process or even a dangerous gas leak. Either way, it’s a problem that should be seen right away.
Don’t Be Left in the Cold
If you notice any combination of these problems in your furnace or home, now is not a time to hesitate. When left untended, an aged or damaged furnace will only become a more costly inconvenience for you and your family. As surely as the world turns, winter weather will return before you know it.
Whether you need to buy a new furnace or just need repairs, contact us today and we can get to the root of your problem at whatever time works for you and help you stay warm!
