With fall now here, the leaves will be changing colors and falling, and the air will be turning colder. Time to start thinking about your furnace. Of course, you will have your furnace tuned up. But should you consider a new furnace? Here are some reasons you might want to.
- Yellow burner flame. This is perhaps the most important one. If the flame is yellow and not blue, it can be a sign your furnace if producing potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Some other signs your furnace may be producing carbon monoxide include streaks of soot around your furnace, an absence of an upward draft in the chimney, extra moisture around walls or windows, and rusting on flue pipes or other pipe connections.
- Old age. Furnaces don’t last forever. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15 to 20 years. So if your unit is approaching or at that age, even if it appears to be working fine, you might want to consider investing in a new one. After all, better to replace it now before it goes out on a frigid day.
- Frequent repairs. If you are spending more money on repairs the last few years, note that that trend will likely only increase. Rather than continuing to spend money on an aging system, you might want to invest in a new one, especially if the next repair cost is 50% of the cost of a new furnace.
- Rising energy bills. If your energy bills are going up, it could be a sign that your unit isn’t running as efficiently as it used to because internal parts are wearing out. Not only will replacing the unit negate that, but it is very likely that your new furnace will be more energy-efficient, resulting in long-term savings. You may be able to save as much as 15% on your bills.
- Constant cycling. If your furnace is constantly cycling on and off, or just staying on, your furnace is not working properly.
- Weak air flow. If the hot air coming out of your vents is not strong, your furnace motor may be failing.
- Poor air quality. If you notice more dirt and dust in your home while your furnace is running, that is another sign that it may be failing.
- Increased humidity. If your house is becoming more humid, that could be a further indication it’s time for a new furnace.
- Uneven heat. Another symptom – rooms in your home are being heated unevenly (or not at all). As your furnace ages, it may be unable to push heat evenly throughout your home.
- Noise. Unusual noises such as rattles, pops, bangs, buzzes or hums are signs that there may be cracks, leaks or other structural issues that indicate it is time for a new unit.
- Visible wear and tear. If you see corrosion, cracks or rust in or around your furnace, it’s time to replace.
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