In the midst of a frosty winter night, you’d rely on your furnace to keep you and your family safe from the effects of exposure to extremely low temperatures. In such instances, you need your heating system to be in tip-top shape.
But there will be a time when your old furnace will no longer be able to meet your heating needs. How would you know? There will be obvious signs telling you so. These indications will help you come up with a decision whether you should have it repaired or get a new system altogether.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is a certified heating company in Blaine MN that has teams of HVAC professional who are adept at identifying any furnace problem. Our technicians are able to give you a wise advise concerning the health of your existing furnace.
To help you recognize a failing furnace, consider these warming signs:
Age
If your furnace is properly installed and regularly maintained, it should stay productive for about 12 to 15 years. As furnaces get old, they usually begin to lose their efficiency and suffer more frequent breakdowns. If your furnace starts to need replacement parts and repairs, opting to get a replacement unit would be a wise choice.
A Dry and Dusty Home
An underperforming furnace can cause the air in your home to become musty. Frequent allergic reactions to dust, mold or pet dander, or suffering from overly dry skin can be easily treated with a new heating system. Some other signs to watch out for include:
- Recurrent dust accumulation
- Static discharges
- Unhealthy, sterile-looking plants
- Problems with keeping musical instruments in tune
Excessively High Energy Bills
Higher utility bills are usually caused by two factors: fuel cost is one and the other is an inefficient HVAC system.
When a furnace is nearing the end of its life, it tends to work harder in order to provide the heating demands of your home. As a result, it is prone to overheating, causing it to consume more energy than usual. Its efficiency starts to drop, especially if it hadn’t been maintained by a professional lately.
Inconsistent Heating
If there are areas in your house that are warm while the others are cold, it is possible that your furnace can no longer provide consistent heating throughout your home. Also, watch out for ice forming on the roof, which indicates that a ductwork leak is taking place.
Intermittent Sickness in the Family
When a furnace gets old and slowly deteriorates, certain parts start to crack that leak dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide. Exposure to this toxic gas may lead to health problems like headaches, nausea, and flu-like symptoms. Inhaling concentrated amounts of carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous to your health and can be fatal. While opening windows to air out the house can help, but it’s actually counterproductive. A better and more permanent solution is to have a professional technician check your system and see if your furnace needs a repair or a replacement.
Outrageous Noises
While it is quite normal for a furnace to produce a sound while it runs, but uncontrolled noises are a clear indication that there is something wrong with the system. These noises tell you that there are issues in certain parts of your furnace. For example, if you hear popping sounds, it may be due to a delayed rough ignition due to dirty burners or a loose or dirty filter getting pulled against its frame, or a loose blower door. Also, if you hear a rattling noise, it may be caused by an unsecured ductwork, loose screws, or sheet metal. It may also mean the blower motor is not balanced.
Regardless of the sound you may hear while your furnace is running, it is not recommended for you to try and fix it, especially if you are not trained in HVAC repair. Instead, have a technician check your furnace to determine if it needs replacing.
Get Professional Advice from Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
This coming winter, the last thing you’d want is to deal with a faulty furnace. To avoid this problem, be sure to give us a call. We’ll answer any questions you may have and give you reasonable, viable solutions. We are your reliable Columbia Heights furnace repair company serving you since 1974.