When you are new to being a homeowner, you are likely unsure of how to handle situations that may arise with your heating and cooling systems. As the chill of fall becomes the cold of winter, you likely begin to find yourself wondering whether or not your furnace will last you through the season this year. However, you may not know what signs to look out for that your furnace needs to be replaced. As such, you could find yourself in a situation where your furnace fails you when you need it the most, and you definitely do not want that. So, get to know some of the signs to watch out for when your furnace needs to be replaced so you can be prepared, just in case.
Pay Attention to the Age of Your Furnace
While it is not a noticeable functional issue, knowing how old your furnace is can make a big difference in knowing whether or not it will soon need to be replaced. Furnaces tend to last between 15 to 25 years on average. So, if your furnace is around this age, it is best to begin planning and preparing to replace it.
If you recently purchased your home and the furnace was already installed, see if you can find any installation date information on the body of your furnace. Sometimes they are marked with this information. Otherwise, you can contact an HVAC specialist and have them take a look at the furnace and determine the make and model. This can give you a rough idea of how old your furnace is so that you can better plan for its replacement.
Strange Noises and Inconsistent Temperatures
As far as your furnace's functionality goes, you will want to pay attention to a few factors that may be indicative that you need a new furnace. If, for example, your furnace begins making strange noises when it is firing up or running, you may have a serious problem on your hands.
Squealing, whining, and just being extremely loud in general can mean that your furnace is failing. Banging or clunking sounds can also mean that you have issues either in the furnace itself or in your ductwork that need to be addressed as soon as possible. These sounds can be signs that your radiator is broken, there is a leak, or the fan is damaged or hitting other components within your heater. Leaks and broken radiators, especially, can require you to replace your furnace.
The consistency of the temperature throughout your house is also a good indicator of whether or not your furnace is in good working order. If one area or room of your house is not getting warm even though your furnace is running consistently, the furnace is beginning to fail. The temperature from room to room in your home should be consistent. If you notice cold spots in your home, pay close attention to your heating bills and if they have increased, you absolutely should begin shopping for a new furnace.
Now that you know what to keep an eye out for when it comes to replacing your furnace, you can be better prepared for any situation that should arise. When you are able to plan and prepare ahead of time, you will never find yourself in a situation where your furnace fails you when you desperately need it. For more information, contact a company like HomeSmart From Xcel Energy.
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