7 Signs that Your Furnace is Going Out

man cold indoors

As your furnace ages, it will experience issues that can disrupt the comfort of your home. Age is a big factor in how long you can expect your furnace to continue working reliably, but a well-maintained, older furnace can still work well. Every furnace problem doesn’t indicate that your furnace needs to be replaced immediately, but knowing the symptoms that your furnace is going out can help prepare you for the inevitable.

Novak Heating, Cooling, and Duct Cleaning share what you should look out for if you’ll need a new heating system soon.

How Long Do Furnaces Last?

The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years. Maintaining your furnace with a regular tune up service is a great way to make sure that your furnace lasts as long as possible. When your furnace starts experiencing issues, the biggest factor in whether you need a new furnace or not is its age. If you notice any of the following signs and your furnace is over 15 years old, then you’ll want to start considering replacing it.

A professional HVAC technician will be able to tell you your furnace’s age if you’re unsure. When you need furnace repairs, ask the technician if it would make more sense to make the repair or to replace the heating system. Most of the time, if the furnace is less than 15 years old, repairs are an affordable way to restore comfort to your home.

Warning Signs That You May Need A Furnace Replacement

1 – Frequent Repairs

It’s not abnormal to need furnace repairs once a season. However, if it seems like you’re on a first-name basis with your local HVAC contractor because you’ve had them over for repairs so frequently, it might make more sense to replace your furnace.

2 – Cold Air

If you put your hand to your home’s heating registers and feel cold air blowing out instead of warm air, this is one of the signs your furnace is going out. Oftentimes, cold air coming from vents means that your furnace’s blower fan isn’t functioning correctly. The blower motor and fan are incredibly important parts of your home’s HVAC system, and it might be in your best interest to replace the whole HVAC system rather than have it repaired.

3 – Strange Noises and Odors

Another common sign of a failing furnace is strange noises and odors when your system is running. When you turn on your furnace for the first time, it’s not uncommon to notice an odor, but it will quickly dissipate. Persistent odors like stinky socks, burning, or dusty smells are issues that should be addressed quickly. Noises like screeching, banging, and buzzing are also worrisome. Oftentimes, noises are key indicators of malfunctioning parts, and ignoring these issues for too long can cause problems to snowball and create bigger problems.

4 – Yellow Pilot Light

A gas furnace uses natural gas to warm the air. Your furnace’s pilot light should always be blue. If you notice that it is yellow, it indicates that the gas is not burning off completely and carbon monoxide could be leaking into your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. It’s smart to have carbon monoxide detectors located near your furnace and throughout your home to make you aware of a dangerous leak. If your furnace isn’t vented properly, your burner is dirty, or you have a cracked heat exchanger, you may experience a carbon monoxide leak. If your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide, it is not safe and you will need to replace it immediately.

5- Increased Dust

Increased dust around your home’s registers is one of the common signs your furnace is failing. Try changing your air filter to see if that helps, or look into air duct cleaning services as these can be common causes of increased dust as well. However, if you’ve tried both of these solutions and you’re still finding lots of dust around your home, it’s most likely the furnace.

6 – Increased Heating Bills

A sudden increase in heating bills is a big warning sign that should never be ignored. Sometimes it’s easy to find the cause, like suddenly frigid days, but other times it’s because of broken mechanical elements and your furnace’s age. A new furnace will help greatly reduce heating costs and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

7 – Poor Temperature Control

When you keep turning up the thermostat, but you still feel cold spots around your home, or your home just doesn’t seem warm enough, it could be your furnace just can’t keep up anymore. A new heating system will be able to heat every corner of your home consistently.

Call Novak For Furnace Replacement Services

If you’re ready to start the furnace buying process, talk to Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning today. We can give you an estimate and help you find the right-sized furnace for your home. Contact us today to get started.