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Lionel Boulin • Nov 22, 2019

6 Signs That Indicate You Should Repair or Replace Your Furnace

Home heating companies always advise homeowners to check their equipment regularly, and many homeowners wisely submit their HVAC equipment to a yearly maintenance check to ensure it’s working optimally. But despite this, HVAC systems do still break down at times. Here are some of the signs that might indicate your furnace is in trouble and should be checked by a professional soon.

Your Furnace Is Old

Your furnace may have served your family well for 15 years or more, but it’s now likely approaching the point that it needs to be retired. If you have an older furnace, it’s a good idea to call a professional and have it checked out. You may also want to consider replacing it now instead of waiting for it to break down. 

Your Heating Bills Are Rising

If you notice a steady rise in your energy bills, your furnace might be the primary reason. An old furnace has to work harder to provide the amount of heat necessary to make your home comfortable. It might not be the best idea to repair it if you can afford to buy a new one now and avoid more expensive repairs down the road.

Your Rooms Aren’t Receiving the Same Amount of Heating

If some rooms in your home are cold and others are hot, this a huge sign that your furnace is about to conk out. You should call duct cleaning companies that can help determine whether your ducts are blocked or dirty, or if your furnace is the one to blame. If it’s an old furnace, it might be a wiser move to just have a new one installed.

Allergy Flare-Ups Are Becoming More Frequent

Allergic reactions can have different causes, including dusty ducts. One of the reasons you might not have heard about, however, is the presence of soot around furnace registers. Registers are not grilles; rather, they have dampers that allow you to control airflow. Soot around your registers means your furnace has an excess of CO2, which causes dryness in the air that can cause allergic reactions. You’re probably thinking that it would be simple enough just to wipe off the soot, but this is nevertheless a clear sign that your furnace needs replacing as soon as possible.

One other possibility is that your registers are releasing an abnormal amount of dust, which might be a sign that your furnace is pulling in dirty air from outside. At this point it’s time to call a certified technician to check your heating equipment.

You Hear Strange Noises

Strange noises coming from your furnace can mean a variety of things: 

  • Clanging and rattling can indicate that there’s a loose screw or piece of metal, or that your furnace motor has lost balance. 

  • Popping noises are often caused by expanding ductwork. Round ductwork is quieter than square or rectangular ductwork, and thicker metal resists expansion better than thinner metal. 

  • The furnace blower probably needs replacement if it’s producing a loud humming noise.

  • Squealing or screeching noises are typically produced by a worn-out blower motor or inducer, but can also mean something more serious.

Instead of going the DIY route for any of these issues, it’s always safer to call a professional furnace and air conditioner maintenance provider. 

The Pilot Light Is Yellow

The pilot light on a natural gas furnace should be blue. If it’s yellow, your furnace may be releasing carbon monoxide, which is poisonous. If you see this, shut off the furnace and call a technician immediately.

Home Air Services is ready to take care of your heating needs. We can provide you with maintenance or replacement services. Call us today at (301) 585-8100.

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