Does My Home Need a New Furnace?

You don’t want to wait until your furnace breaks down to start thinking about upgrading your furnace. There are many signs that can indicate to you when your home is in need of a replacement. Checkout these 5 quick tips to see if it’s time for an upgrade.

Your furnace is aging

The average lifespan of a home furnace is about 10-20 years. After 15 years, your furnace will drop about 15% in efficiency. An upgrade to a new Energy Star model furnace or boiler will not only save you money on your heating bill but will make a positive impact on the environment.

Your spending more money for the same usage

Yes, sometimes the market for energy can be a bit unpredictable and out of your control. However, your heating bill should not have a significant increase if you have had regular checkups on your furnace and your ducts are sealed. A furnace that is about at the end of its life cycle will have a dramatic increase in your heating bill. The increase is typically a good way to tell if you should be thinking about a replacement.

Signs of Carbon monoxide are visible around the furnace

Your furnace should emit a blue flame however if it is burning incorrectly, the flame will look yellow or flicker. This could be an indication of carbon monoxide in your home. Some other signs to look for

• Excessive moisture on cool surfaces such as windows and walls
• Leaking water at the base of your vent, chimney, or flue
• Soot streaks around the furnace
• Rust on the outside of your vent pipe

Your furnace is loud

Towards the end of a furnace’s lifespan, things will start to get a little noisy and disruptive. Sounds like clicking, rattling, or banging and your blower frequently turning off only to blow cool air may be a strong indication you need to start thinking about purchasing a new furnace.

You can never get a comfortable temperature

Ever feel like some rooms are too cold while other rooms are too hot? This could mean there is improper equipment orientation, duct problems, and simply an insulation problem. If find yourself constantly adjusting the thermostat to get comfortable, there is a good chance your aging furnace is unable to evenly distribute heat through your home.

If your home meets some of these warning signs it is probably time to start looking for a new heating unit. To help find the right solution for your home, call the experts at Seth Energy 717.850.8500.