How to Tell If You Need a New Furnace

Knowing how to tell when your ageing furnace has reached the end of its life can be difficult, but the last thing you want is to find out in the middle of winter when heating your home is a necessity. If your furnace is 10 years old or more, you need to start monitoring it to evaluate whether or not it has passed its best before date.

Here are seven signs to watch out for that could signal it’s time for you to get a new home heating system:

1. Increase in Your Heating Bills

If your heating bill unexpectedly rises or slowly creeps up over time, it could be a warning sign that your furnace is in need of maintenance or that it needs to be outright replaced.

Analyze your heating bills from previous months to see if there are any discrepancies with your current bill. Be sure to look closely at the amount of energy your furnace is using as opposed to the variance in dollar amounts between bills.

If your bill is rising but the rate of energy usage hasn’t changed, that suggests your furnace’s energy efficiency is no longer what it used to be.

2. Your Home is Increasingly Dry or Dusty

When your heating system is nearing the end of its life, it becomes harder for it to keep the air moisturized and clean. In the winter, the air is as dry as it is cold. If you or a family member is suffering from dry skin or sinuses, it could be because the air in your home is extremely dry.

Older furnaces generally use air in your home for combustion. This process tends to dry the air in your home because it creates a vacuum in the home’s envelope, sucking dry air from outdoors inside under doors and through cracks around windows or in the building’s structure. A modern furnace uses outdoor air for combustion and allows the home to better maintain its humidity level inside.

If you’re noticing an increase in the amount of dust settling throughout your home on furniture or clinging to the walls, it may indicate your home’s air purifier is not working properly or it may be time for a new heating system.

3. Uneven Temperatures

If heat is being distributed unevenly throughout your home, that too is a sign that something isn’t right with your heating and ventilation system.

The temperature from room to room should be the same. If it isn’t it could mean your ageing furnace is struggling to maintain the right balance of temperature, that your ventilation ducts need to be cleaned, that your home’s windows need to resealed or all of the above.

4. Strange Noises

Older furnaces often make some strange noises. That isn’t always a bad sign, however, it’s important to be aware of these noises and to take notice when you hear a new or unfamiliar one. Banging, squeaking, rattling, and other noises can all be signs your furnace is nearing the end of its service life.

Is your furnace’s blower operating sporadically? If it’s turning on and off frequently, or blowing cool or cold air, it’s time to call in a professional to inspect your furnace and blower motor.

5. Signs of Rust

If you see rust on any parts of your furnace, or on the floor around it, it may be because of corrosion inside the furnace. This could mean that your furnace is working harder than normal to heat your home. In other words, rust is not a good sign.

6. Yellow Furnace Flame

While checking your furnace for rust and corrosion, it’s also a good opportunity to check the colour of the flame. If the flame isn’t blue and appears yellow, this could mean it’s producing deadly carbon monoxide.

If this is the case and the furnace flame appears yellow, leave your home immediately and call a professional right away.

7. Multiple Repairs and Maintenance Visits

If your furnace needs more than just wear-and-tear maintenance on a consistent basis you may want to consider purchasing a new one, especially if you’re paying for the same repair repeatedly. The cost of a new furnace may seem like a large investment, but it will save you money in the long run.

Although all of the above can be telltale signs that you need a new furnace, it’s also possible that your system simply needs a tune-up. Regardless, it’s wise to have a professional technician inspect your home’s heating, cooling and ventilation system seasonally.

It’s important to remember the health of your home’s HVAC system directly impacts the value of your home and property, as well as your family’s health. Contact Crystal Heating and Cooling today to schedule your furnace tune-up or to get started on replacing your ageing furnace.