5 Signs You Need to Replace Your Furnace

If your furnace is over 15 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to recognize the warning signs—and fail to assess the equipment until it’s too late. Then, on a chilly winter night when the furnace doesn’t come on, they’re stuck wondering—why didn’t I do this sooner? In addition to compromising comfort, homeowners could risk their family’s safety by disregarding an aging, broken-down gas furnace.

Here are five signs that you need to replace your heating unit:

1. Your gas and electric prices have skyrocketed in the last year. While your utility company may be charging more, your increased rates could also be due to growing equipment inefficiency. Essentially, your furnace is working harder to produce the same amount of heat. If that’s the case, it’s time to consider a new one.
2. Your home’s heating is inconsistent. Some rooms feel perfectly comfortable, while others are freezing. This could be a sign that your furnace is no longer able to properly distribute its heat supply, and is a good reason to call a qualified HVAC company to request an energy efficiency consultation.
3. Your furnace frequently goes “bump” (and rattle, pop, moan) during the night. Strange noises coming from your HVAC equipment should be investigated by a professional, since aging furnaces may sound funny as the blower breaks down or the equipment is giving out.
4. Your furnace’s burner flame is yellow or flickering. Typically, this flame should be blue and steady. A yellow, flickering flame may mean that your furnace is creating carbon monoxide—which is dangerous to your health. Other signs of carbon monoxide production include excess moisture in your home, rusting of pipes or soot streaks around the furnace base. Carbon monoxide can make you feel flu-like, with headaches and nausea. If your family notices these common symptoms, it’s critical that you have your furnace evaluated by a professional.
5. Your furnace is falling apart, piece by piece. As your furnace ages, you begin spending more and more just to keep it running. If you’ve had several repairs in the last one to two years, it’s probably on its last legs.

At Mauzy, we believe that your furnace replacement should be a planned home improvement—not a frustrating emergency. Call our HVAC experts today to schedule an service call, inquire about new equipment pricing or request more information. And thanks for trusting our family to serve yours—for over 40 years.