Your furnace is one of the most critical appliances in your home. It helps keep you warm and cozy during cold winter months, but it can also help to provide air conditioning for those hot summer days. That’s why it’s so important to know when it might be time to replace your current model with a new one. Fortunately, some signs will tell you if this is necessary or not. This article will give you an idea of how to tell if you need a new furnace.
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Higher Than Normal Energy Bill
The first sign that you need to replace your furnace is seeing a higher than usual energy bill. If this is the case, your furnace might be broken and not operating properly, which can cause your furnace to use more energy trying to heat your home. If you think this could be the source of your issues, you should get in touch with a professional HVAC technician who will determine if there’s an issue or not.
Strange Noises
One of the tell-tale signs that you need to replace your furnace needs is if it’s making strange noises. For example, you might hear a cyclical “thumping” noise each time the furnace turns on and off. This noise could mean a worn motor has become loose inside the fan assembly and is causing this unusual sound as it rotates and shakes. It’s important to get this problem fixed as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the more damage your furnace could suffer.
More Dust Than Usual
Another one of the signs that might mean you need to replace your furnace is if you start seeing more dust than usual. Your furnace’s fan assembly pulls in air from the outside environment, which can cause it to pick up dirt and other particles along the way. Typically, your furnace does a good job cleaning the air and releasing it with only minor amounts of dust, but this varies depending on where you live and how much time your furnace spends running throughout the year. If you start to notice an increase in the amount of dust around your home, it might mean that there is a problem with your furnace.
Not Getting Warm In Your Home
One of the most obvious signs that means you need a new furnace is if your home doesn’t get warm. If this is happening, it’s either because your thermostat isn’t working or there’s a problem with your furnace. It could also be due to an issue with your ducts, so it’s important to get help right away. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your furnace could break down entirely and need expensive repairs or replacement.
The Furnace Stops And Starts
Something else you may notice that might mean you need a new furnace is if your current one stops and starts. This issue could be due to an issue with your thermostat or the sensor inside it, but it’s also possible that there is something wrong with the heater itself. For example, you might notice that when you try to adjust the temperature on your thermostat, it makes a clicking noise and doesn’t change at all. This could indicate that the furnace turned on then immediately turned back off.
Excess Moisture Around Your Home
Another common sign that you need to replace your furnace is if you start seeing an excess amount of moisture around your home. Moisture can happen for various reasons, but it’s often due to condensation building up inside your furnace. When this happens, it can cause problems with rust and corrosion inside the metal components of your furnace. It can also damage your ducts and cause mold growth, which is dangerous for both the people in your home and those who breathe the air.
Cold Spots In Your House
You may also notice cold spots in your home. When this happens, it means that there might be a problem with your ducts or thermostat. For example, if only certain rooms are cold and others aren’t, you might have airflow distribution problems. On the other hand, if one room is warm and the others are cold, it could mean there’s a problem with your furnace, and it’s not able to create enough heat to warm up the entire house.
Your Furnace Is Old
The most obvious sign that you need a new furnace is if yours is old. Generally, furnaces last anywhere from 10 to 20 years before they start having serious problems. If your furnace is getting up there in age, it might not have the capacity necessary to heat your home properly year-round. For this reason, you will want to think about getting a replacement sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
If you notice any of these signs, it means that your furnace might be in trouble. When this happens, don’t put off replacing it. The longer you wait to get a new one, the more problems it could cause. If you have questions about your furnace, it’s best to call an HVAC company. This will allow you to have a professional come out and inspect your home to determine the problem and recommend the best solution for you.
