Do You Need a Furnace Replacement? Pay Attention to These 5 Signs

Not sure if you need a furnace replacement?

Without your furnace, your home would not be a comfortable respite. Day after day, it works to provide you with heat so that you can keep warm and cozy all winter long. We all know how brutal OKC winters can be, so it’s critical that you have a fully-functioning furnace that meets your demands. When your furnace no longer provides you with the warmth you need, it may be time to consider replacement. There are numerous telltale signs indicating furnace replacement may be the best option.

If one or more of these signs apply to you, go ahead and give a professional HVAC technician a call as soon as possible. The last thing you want is for your furnace to fail during severe weather, when you really need your furnace to pull through.

Age

This is often the most obvious sign that you may need a furnace replacement. When installed correctly along with regular maintenance, your furnace should last between 15 and 20 years, however, once your furnace has reached 15 years, it’s a good idea to start considering replacement options. If you weren’t the homeowner who installed the furnace, you can find out the age by either looking at the original owner’s manual or by calling the manufacture with the model number of the unit.

Frequent Repairs

Repairs don’t come cheap, and if you’re having to call in a technician on a regular basis, those repairs really add up. Depending on how often you’re needing to repair your furnace, you may be paying the cost of a new furnace installation! The upfront cost may be more than the average one-time repair, but we guarantee it’ll save you money in the long run.

Tip: If the repair costs 50% of what a replacement would cost, you should highly consider replacement.

When you replace your old, inefficient conventional furnace with a new Energy Star-rated gas furnace, you’ll save on average $94 per year on heating costs! And we all know that savings are what you really want.

Rising Energy Bill

Have you noticed your energy bill increasing as of late, despite your usage remaining the same? There’s an answer as to why. When you’ve been overworked day after day, you’re going to feel sluggish and have to work extra hard to get things done. Your furnace is the same. When your furnace is no longer efficient, it’s going to require more energy to keep up with your demands. Unfortunately, more energy means more money.

As your furnace ages, it’s going to lose some of its efficiency. However, another reason could be inadequate maintenance. This is why it’s so important for you complete regular maintenance on your furnace! Like anything else, the better you take of something the longer it will last. When you don’t complete regular maintenance, it leads to premature failure, and of course, frequent repairs. Your system will become clogged with dirt and dust, rendering many parts ineffective. Don’t let this happen! Schedule your furnace tune-up today – and we can help you decide whether your furnace needs repairing or replacing.

Yellow Burner Flame Instead of Blue

Pay close attention to the color of the flame your furnace puts out as it is an indication of how healthy and efficient your system is. A yellow flame is a possible sign of carbon monoxide, which could be incredibly dangerous to you and your family.

Signs of Carbon Monoxide Include:

• Streaks of soot around furnace
• No upward draft in chimney
• Excess moisture on windows, walls, or other cold surfaces
• Excess rusting on flue pipes
• Water leaking from the base of the chimney, vent, or flue pipe

If you even suspect you have carbon monoxide, call a professional technician right away. Don’t risk your health or safety by putting it off!

Uneven Temperatures

Does one room feel too hot while another doesn’t feel warm enough? This could be due to uneven temperatures. If you find yourself constantly having to adjust the thermostat in your home, it may be time for replacement. The uneven distribution of warm air could be because your furnace lacks the ability to keep up. We know the natural response is to continue to bump the temperature up, but the best response is to call in a professional. It’s possible that it could be because of a faulty thermostat, a leaking duct, or a problem with your pilot light.

For information or assistance with HVAC efficiency, give Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 405-794-8900. For more info on maintaining a safe and energy-efficient home, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Don’t forget to schedule your fall furnace tune-up for the upcoming cold season. Schedule service online or give us a call!