The crisp autumn breezes soon will give way to winter winds. Feeling cold outside is normal, but recognizing it’s ‘cold inside’ can signal a serious problem with your furnace. Before the temperatures plummet and the winds rise, consider whether you need to repair or replace your furnace.

Mature or Old

Aging individuals earn our respect. We can appreciate the service our aging furnace has provided, but we recognize a mature heating system loses its effectiveness on average after 16 to 20 years. Track the age of your furnace and avoid heating emergencies by replacing an appliance nearing 15 years old.  

Ineffective or efficient

The Department of Energy (DOE) says replacing old, ineffective furnaces with new high-efficiency models can raise your system’s efficiency from 56% to 70% up to 98.5%. In addition to performing more economically, these upgraded furnaces can potentially cut the pollution output of the system in half. 

Sick and Tired

That tired, aging furnace may keep your home warm and cozy, but a poorly functioning furnace can emit elevated levels of carbon monoxide. While high-level exposure can prove lethal, your family can experience nausea and headaches when exposed to even smaller amounts of this odorless, colorless gas. A leak in a gas line to the furnace can also pose a serious threat to your family’s safety and to your home.

Groaning and Demanding

Is your furnace looking tattered, showing rust on or around your unit? Are any of the parts visibly cracked or corroded? Is the furnace groaning, creaking, or rattling? Is your furnace turning on and off more frequently? Are you encountering humidity problems or are you finding more dust, soot, or rust particles around your house? There’s a good chance your furnace’s better years are behind it.

Before those winter winds blow and you need to rely on your heating system to warm your house, have your furnace inspected by an HVAC professional. They can repair or replace your system before it fails.