Snow is in the air. And you might be realizing you should have had a furnace repair checkup this fall. If your furnace is acting up, it might be time to replace your furnace.
Replacing Your Furnace: What are the Signs?
So, here are the top warning signs that may indicate you should think about replacing your furnace. Separately these signs may not be enough reason to replace your furnace, but the more signs that apply to your furnace, the more likely you’ll need a new one. Proudfoot can help make that determination.
1) Your Furnace is More than 15 Years Old
According to Consumerreports.org, the average life expectancy for a gas furnace is 18 years. And, according to Energystar.gov, you should replace a furnace that’s over 15 years old with a high efficiency rated furnace, which is typically 15% more energy efficient than other furnaces on the market.
To learn more about how much you can save by replacing with an energy-efficient furnace, read up on AFUE ratings (measures furnace energy efficiency).
2) Your Heating Bill has Increased
A variety of problems could be causing this. A sudden increase in your heating bill from years past may mean that your furnace or air ducts are on their last legs. As internal parts wear out, your gas and electric bill may go up. The extra money you’re paying in gas and electricity could go towards buying a new furnace.
3) Your Furnace has been Repaired Frequently the Past Two Years
Furnaces incur the most repairs during the last couple of years of their lives. Like repairing an old car, it doesn’t take too many repairs before keeping your old furnace running isn’t worth the cost. Add up the cost of repairs to your furnace over the last few years and see if it’s cost efficient for you to buy a new one.
4) Your furnace makes strange noises
When you turn on your furnace, does it make any rattling, popping, or banging noises? Older furnaces make these strange noises at the end of their life. Also, does your blower turn on and off frequently? Does it blow cold air for a period of time? This is another sign that you should think about replacing your furnace through a professional heating company like Proudfoot.
5) Thermostat setting never keeps you comfortable
Are some of your rooms too hot or too cold? Are you constantly adjusting the thermostat to stay comfortable? If so, it may be because your furnace can no longer distribute heat properly throughout your house.
6) Your burner flame is yellow instead of blue
If your furnace’s flame is yellow instead of blue, it could be a sign that your furnace is producing carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless toxic gas that can be fatal!
- Other signs that your furnace is producing carbon monoxide include:
- Streaks of soot around the furnace
- The absence of an upward draft in the chimney
- Extra moisture found on windows, walls, or other cold surfaces
- Rusting on flue pipes or other pipe connections
If your furnace shows signs of producing carbon monoxide, you should leave your house and call your utility company to turn your gas off and consider purchasing a new furnace if the problem is determined to be serious. Proudfoot can make this determination for you.
All Things Considered
As you can easily see, there are many different things to be considered when it comes to your home heating system. How many of the above items apply to your furnace? The more that apply, the more you should consider buying and installing a new furnace from a trusted heating company, like Proudfoot.
You can always try repairing your furnace and/or installing a new one on your own. However, if it doesn’t quite work out right for you, then you can call us! We will certainly be glad to help.
Question is, what does one look for in a service provider when needing a furnace repaired or even replaced? As your service provider, we here at Proudfoot will always attempt to understand your needs.
Choosing the Right Service Provider for Furnace Repair
At Proudfoot, we realize that there are many different types of furnace configurations. And when it comes to furnaces, we’ve repaired all kinds, and we pride ourselves in coming up with the most cost-effective solutions. If it only needs to be repaired, a new blower and/or a blower motor perhaps, or a new glow plug, or simply just a good cleaning, we will not replace your furnace; we’ll repair it or adjust it. Hopefully, this will result in significant cost savings for you. If something needs to be replaced vs. repaired, we’ll let you know and we’ll give you the different options for the different kinds of furnace replacements. We’ll make recommendations for you.
Our techs have experience in the repair and replacement of many different types of furnaces. We can have your heat back on quickly, sometimes within a couple of hours, depending on the type of furnace problem. And as you already know, we always check and recheck our work. If there is a problem, we’ll be back at your home correcting it!
In Summary
So, when you want to make sure your furnace is in good working order for the coming winter season, call us. We’ll come out, perform your furnace checkup/inspection. We will quickly make repairs. And worst-case scenario can easily help you in replacing your furnace. That’s why we think you should choose us. Call us at 1-412-461-2198 or contact us here! We hope to see you soon for a checkup. And remember it’s that time of year to begin thinking about your furnace! Thanks!
