Good air quality, regulated temperatures, warmth in the winter—your furnace is responsible for a lot of components that make up a comfortable home. That’s why it’s important to have a furnace that is effective and efficient. Many times, homeowners don’t give much thought to their furnace’s effectiveness or efficiency unless there is no heat on a cold day. However, you don’t want to let it get to that. To help you maintain a livable temperature in your home, we have compiled a list of signs that indicate you need to replace or repair your furnace.
Should I Replace or Repair My Furnace?
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5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Furnace
Don’t wait until your furnace no longer works. Make sure to keep an eye out for these 5 signs that it’s time for a furnace replacement. They’ll help you catch any discrepancies in your furnace before it finally does break down.
1.) Your Furnace is 15 Years Old (or Older)
Although furnaces can last about 20 years, it is advisable to replace them around the 15-year mark. This can help you make sure that your home gets heated efficiently. Doing this will also decrease your chances of having a surprise furnace malfunction that could leave you in the cold.
2.) Temperature Variations
Older furnaces are inefficient. This affects its ability to properly and evenly distribute heat throughout a home. An ordinary sign it’s time to replace a furnace includes cold spots and inconsistent heating in your home.
3.) Furnace is Producing Strange Noises
Furnaces usually emit noises when they operate. But if your furnace is getting increasingly louder over time, this is a sign you need to replace your furnace. Noises to look out for are rattling, screeching, and loud humming. These could be indications that there are loose parts or worn-out pieces that need to be addressed.
4.) High Utility Bills
The older a furnace is, the harder it needs to work to successfully distribute heat to each room in your home. This means that your energy bill could be steadily increasing the harder your furnace works. Although your furnace may be operating properly, it might be worth replacing because you could save more money in the long run with an efficient furnace.
5.) Dirt & Dust on the Registers
The furnace’s register is a ventilation duct cover. Finding dirt, dust, or rust on the register means that there is too much CO2 in your furnace. To avoid the negative affects of this issue, it may be time to consider investing in a furnace replacement. This specific issue can cause your air to become excessively dry, which is damaging to flooring and furniture. Additionally, it can also cause health concerns like itchy, dry throats and eyes, or even respiratory problems.
5 Signs You Need To Perform a Repair on Your Furnace
Here are 5 common signs that your furnace might need repair:
1.) Strange Odors
Sometimes, a furnace can smell like fuel because they use it to function, similar to how a car can sometimes smell like gasoline. However, if you notice an especially strong smell of fuel coming from your furnace, a different odor that appears, or a pervasive smell that doesn’t go away, it could signal that means you need to hire a technician to repair or replace the furnace in your living space.
2.) Pilot Light Is Producing a Yellow Flame
Pilot lights are usually supposed to be blue. If your pilot light is a different color it can indicate a ventilation problem, especially if the light is yellow.
3.) Poor Indoor Air Quality
A furnace circulates air around your home, but it also helps regulate the quality of air inside your home. If you regularly replace your filter, but there is still a lot of dirt and dust floating around, it could be an issue with your ductwork or furnace.
4.) Not Able To Start the System
Older furnaces can have difficulty starting up and running. If you have tried multiple times to start your furnace throughout the day, it is probably in need of repair.
5.) Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Activated
Furnaces come with a built-in carbon monoxide detector. This is to keep you safe by alerting you if there are toxic gases around. If the detector goes off, immediately open the windows and turn off your furnace. Contact your local HVAC professionals to perform a necessary inspection to see what caused the detector to go off.
What Type of Furnace Is the Most Energy-Efficient?
When shopping for a furnace, a high energy rating is one of the most important things to look for. Don’t know where to start? Here are 3 types of energy-efficient furnaces to consider when searching for a good furnace replacement:
Single-Stage Furnaces
A single-stage furnace is the simplest type of furnace. It only has on and off settings, meaning that the furnace is either going on at full running power or not at all. These types of furnaces are the least energy-efficient and can also contribute to inconsistent heating throughout your home.
Two-Stage Furnaces
Unlike single-stage furnaces, two-stage furnaces have three settings: low mode, high mode, and off. If you need to replace your furnace, investing in a two-stage furnace is an excellent choice because it is designed to run on low power mode until it needs to kick into a higher power mode (usually when it gets colder). These two different power settings allow the furnace to reduce temperature fluctuations and operate efficiently
Modulating Furnaces
Modulating furnaces are the most efficient compared to single-stage and double-stage. This furnace offers more precise temperature control and fewer temperature fluctuations by adjusting its flame to match any detected changes. Paired with a variable-speed blower motor, it will become even more efficient.
Heating Repair Services
It is important to have heat when you need it. Having an effective furnace can make all the difference between a cozy, comfortable home and unpleasant temperatures. Keep your furnace functioning and your home warm—call the pros at ServiceMark. For over 65 years, we have provided high-quality heating services, from furnace repair and replacement to installation and maintenance. When you give us a call, we’ll come ready to handle any heating situation, whether that is replacing a furnace or repairing an inefficient system. In addition, our team offers other types of HVAC services such as heat pump installation, boiler replacement, and air conditioning repair.We have the tools and skills required to keep your house warm during those cold winter months. Give us a call at (302) 367-7915 to set up an appointment.
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