Warning Sings Your Furnace is About to Fail
Three-quarters of American households have air conditioners. These systems use about 6% of the electricity produced in the country. When faulty, the AC might lead to a surge in energy costs and fail to give you the desired results.
The last thing anybody wants, especially during Alberta’s winter, is a house with no heat. Your furnace will always need regular maintenance to ensure it’s working at its best. In addition, you’ll want to monitor for signs your furnace is on its last legs. You want to ensure you will feel warm and toasty all through winter.
#1:Cold Air
A furnace helps to warm a room, especially in cold seasons. If your home doesn’t seem to get adequate heating, chances are that your furnace is failing. You can feel the coldness in the entire house, but in some cases, you might have cold spots in different rooms.
One of the primary causes of a furnace blowing cold air is a malfunctioning motor. This makes the heating equipment have inadequate power to heat the room. A problem with the pilot light and heat exchanger is another potential cause of poorly functioning heating equipment.
Cold air is one of the warning signs of a failing furnace that you can’t miss. It would be best to have your HVAC contractor check all heating components to avoid the issue from escalating.
#2: Strange Loud Noises
It’s typical for HVAC components to make noise during operation. The noise isn’t as loud or irritating. It is crucial to note the sound made by standard heating components so that you can know when the sounds become unusual.
A faulty heater tends to rattle, roll, and shake as a result of loosening mechanical elements. If your heating unit is having squealing, popping, or booming sounds when operating, it’s probably time to have it checked. Once it goes silent for some hours after the grinding and banging, you might want to have it sorted as an emergency.
A furnace repair expert will establish the issue with your furnace based on the type of noise it produces. The unfamiliar noise can also be an indication that your HVAC equipment is overworking. Instead of making guesses, get it checked by an expert to save you unnecessary replacement costs.
#3: Need for Frequent Furnace Repair
A good quality furnace can have a lifespan of up to 20 years. However, the last few years of its lifespan can necessitate more trips to a furnace repair expert. When choosing an AC repair service, work with one experienced in different furnaces such as the gas and electric furnace.
Nonetheless, you might want to do your calculations well to determine if the repairs are cost-effective. Some cases might call for furnace replacement to save you further costs. Professionals recommend getting new equipment if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the price of a new furnace.
Regular furnace repair isn’t something you ought to pride yourself on. When you’re calling your repair person every other week, it’s a sign that your heating equipment is moving closer to its deathbed. In this case, a furnace replacement would be preferable.
#4: Increased Illness Symptoms
Furnaces that work efficiently filter out foreign particles, bacteria, and dirt from the air flowing in your home. If it starts malfunctioning, your home might be full of poor quality air. Effects will be cold or flu-like symptoms among your family members.
An improperly controlled furnace exhaust can cause a build-up of harmful gases. When your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, carbon monoxide might also leak, leading to your family members’ adverse health effects.
A failing furnace can manifest in the form of increased headaches, watery eyes, and itchiness for people with allergies. Others might experience respiratory ailments, colds, or coughs. If you notice this trend, consider filter replacement or a professional duct clean up.
#5: High Energy Bill
Heating and cooling in homes account for one-sixth of all residential electricity use. An old furnace might become inefficient over time. It’s likely to keep running in an attempt to keep your home’s temperature in check.
Furnaces that are ever running use more fuel without necessarily producing more heat. The high utility bill you get at the end of the month will indicate that your HVAC equipment isn’t performing well.
You need to start by checking if the filters are dirty. Accumulation of dirt in the filters can obstruct the free flow of air in the heating equipment, making it overwork. If the problem has escalated, you’ll be forced to replace the furnace for optimal performance.
#6: Pool of Water Around The Furnace
The two substances likely to leak from a furnace are gas and water. A gas leak can have fatal effects on a home’s occupants. A water leak is not as dangerous, but it’s enough telltale sign of a failing furnace.
You can examine if your furnace is leaking water by checking for any water pooling close to the heating equipment. The problem often results from a clogged condensate line. Given the HVAC expertise required in its repair, ensure that you have a professional working on it.
If you notice any water pools near the unit, have it checked after ruling out drainage leaks. You’ll be in a better position to avoid furnace replacement if the issue is sorted as soon as possible.