The weather is turning cooler. Time to give the air conditioner a rest and make sure the furnace is ready to handle the freezing temperatures. Hopefully you have already had your furnace tuned up. But do you need a new unit? Here are some signs.
- Old age. Furnaces don’t last forever. The average life of a well-maintained furnace is about 15 years (and less if you have not taken care of it). So, if your furnace is beyond that age or getting near it, even though it appears fine, it might make sense to purchase a new unit before the old one breaks down.
- It’s not keeping you comfortable. There are four key components of this.
- You must set your thermostat higher to achieve the same degree of comfort, even if the force of the air coming out of your vents is the same.
- If the force of the air coming out of the vents is weak, that could be a sign the blower motor is failing.
- If the furnace is not heating the rooms evenly, that is another sign there may be a problem.
- The furnace is also supposed to maintain the humidity in your home to keep you comfortable, as well as to protect wooden floors and furnishings. If the air is unacceptably dry, your furnace is not maintaining humidity.
- It’s costing you money. A few things here as well.
- Higher energy bills. If your furnace is not running efficiently, that also means your utility bills may be increasing.
- Improper cycling. Another sign your unit is not running efficiently is if it is constantly cycling on and off.
- Frequent repairs. If you are experiencing more repairs and more expensive repairs, that is another reason you may need a new unit. Rule of thumb: if your repair bills (not including routine maintenance) are more than 50% of the cost of a new unit, the sensible decision is buying a new piece of equipment.
- Health and safety issues. The following can pose health and/or safety risks.
- Poor indoor air quality. Dirt, dander, dust and soot around the registers or in the air can indicate poor air quality, posing health risks for all but especially the aged, young children and people with respiratory ailments.
- Rust or cracks around the furnace, specifically the heat exchanger, can indicate, among other things, carbon monoxide entering the air, which poses major health issues.
- Yellow or orange flames indicate another safety issue.
- Strange noises. Does your furnace bang, buzz, grind, rattle or squeak? It shouldn’t. If it does, that means something may be wrong.
- Unpleasant odors. Similarly, once it has been running for a while, your equipment should not be emitting a musty odor. If it is, that is another indication there is a problem
Contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric to Determine if You Need a New Furnace
The skilled HVAC technicians at Ravinia Plumbing can help you determine if your furnace can be repaired, or if it should be replaced. If it needs to be replaced, they can recommend and install the right new furnace for your home. Our customers have relied on us since 1928 (that’s 97 years!) for quality products, knowledgeable technicians, and superior service, including 24/7/365 emergency service. That is why we’ve made a name for ourselves as the most trusted plumbing, sewer, heating and air conditioning, and electrical company in Chicago’s North Shore and Northwest suburbs. Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.