The heating season is here and your trusty furnace has been going for 10, 15, or even 20 years. You may be tempted to keep fixing it. But with the holidays fast approaching, deciding between furnace repair or replacement may be necessary because, at some point, a repair may not be enough to guarantee safety and comfort during holiday gatherings and festivities.
Here are some signs that furnace repair may not be enough:
The Furnace Starts Making Strange Noises
As they age, furnaces start to wear out. They can make some pretty frightful noises. If the unit is banging, rattling, buzzing, popping, or squealing, there could be a serious mechanical problem. The blower running continuously instead of cycling is also an ominous sign, as is if it’s turning on and off more frequently. Even if you hear odd noises and they suddenly stop, your furnace may be providing hints that it’s failing.
Your System Needs Frequent Repairs
One service call can be costly enough. Think about what you’ll spend to fix recurring problems. You’ll likely need additional furnace repairs if multiple calls were required in the past year or two. If the heat exchanger is broken, fixing/replacing only that won’t necessarily help. Other parts are aging too and may soon need attention. Therefore, furnace replacement can help you save money toward holiday gifts!
Temperatures Differ from Room to Room
Everyone should be cozy during the holidays. But if your furnace isn’t keeping up with the demand, the temperature in one room can be dramatically different from that in another. Rooms farther from the unit may be cold even when it is running. You may need to constantly adjust the thermostat. This can mean the furnace no longer has the power to heat and distribute air.
The Heating Bills Suddenly Go Way Up
Utility prices can fluctuate with the seasons but generally don’t spike suddenly. While a dirty filter or clogged duct can reduce efficiency, so can a struggling furnace. Consider replacing it if it’s not keeping up even in moderate temperatures, or your heating bill spikes despite not using your furnace more. A modern, high-efficiency unit can cost you less in energy from month to month.
Water Is Leaking from the Furnace
Seeing water from an air conditioner can mean the condensate line is clogged or leaking. This is usually easy to fix. However, if a furnace is leaking water, this is a major problem. Water is a byproduct of gas combustion. Your system normally manages it, but if a leak occurs during a heating cycle, your furnace may be a danger to your family.
The Burner Flame Isn’t the Color It Should Be
Natural gas-powered furnaces should have a blue flame. If the flame is yellow, the solution may be as simple as cleaning the burner. But this color change means the furnace isn’t correctly burning off the gas. It won’t reach its heating potential or vent carbon monoxide as it should. When the burner flame isn’t blue, the furnace may no longer be capable of proper combustion.
There Are Visual Signs of Trouble
If you see rust, soot, or dust around the register, furnace repair may not be the answer. The system may be near the end of its life. When parts seem corroded or even cracked, it’s time to call a technician to weigh replacement over repair. A cracked heat exchanger is a sure sign you need a new furnace.
There Are Noticeable Odors
Call for help if there’s a persistent smell of gas when a furnace is running. Natural gas has a characteristic rotten egg odor from an additive. The unit can also give off a burnt electrical smell, especially if the motor is failing. Any unusual odors should prompt you to call a technician ASAP.
There Are Air Quality Issues
A failing furnace can cause air quality problems on top of insufficient heating. The air in your home may be stuffy or stale. It may become dustier as well. Increased allergies and dry throat, nose, and skin can point to a furnace issue, as can accumulating dust, cracked furniture, and more static shocks. A technician can determine whether an old furnace or ventilation problem is the cause of these issues.
Schedule Furnace Replacement with Air Stars
Although we hire the most skilled furnace repair experts in Oregon, our team is also trained to help when you need furnace replacement. Our technicians are familiar with every type and brand of furnace. With their experience, they can properly size a unit for your home and provide a suitable upgrade to increase comfort, efficiency, and safety. Book an appointment online or call (503) 832-4438 today.