Is It Time for Furnace Repair or Replacement?

Your home’s heating system will last for years, or even decades, with proper furnace repair and maintenance.  However, nothing lasts forever, and furnaces take a lot of abuse even when they’re treated well.  Eventually, your furnace is going to start breaking down and keep breaking down.

Past a point and a certain age, furnace repair jobs won’t last for long.  Then, it’s time to start thinking about getting a replacement.  This does cost some money, but it’s usually cheaper than continuing to pour money into repairing a furnace that is past its prime.  Plus, HVAC systems are becoming more energy-efficient every year, so getting a new furnace can make heating your home cheaper than ever.

What are some signs that your furnace needs replacing?  These are some of the big ones.

Four Signs Your Furnace Is On Its Last Legs

1 – Unusual noises

A typical furnace should be fairly quiet, aside from the sound of the burner and the fans.  If you ever start hearing clanging, scraping, or other loud sounds, that’s a big red flag that it’s about to fail.  If you start hearing them, you should shut down the unit and call for professional HVAC help immediately.  A furnace with major mechanical problems could be a fire hazard.

2 – Yellow burner flame

The burner flame within the furnace should always be blue when it’s functioning properly.  If the flame is yellow, that either means the furnace isn’t getting enough oxygen or – worse – it’s leaking carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to breathe.  We suggest keeping a carbon monoxide detector near older furnaces, just in case.

3 – Rising energy bills

As a furnace breaks down and becomes less efficient, that’s going to cause it to use more energy.  If you find your heating bills are going up without any clear cause, and you know your home is well sealed and insulated, the culprit is probably an older furnace.

4 – Constant small repairs

A furnace doesn’t need that much yearly maintenance.  As long as you clean out the air filter regularly and occasionally clean out the ducts, vents, and other components, it should run on its own for months with little work.  If you find yourself constantly having to call for furnace repairs, that’s a sign it’s become a money pit.

Get Furnace Repair & More

For nearly a hundred years, Toshack has been the go-to source for heating and cooling services in Brockville, Kingston, and the surrounding areas.  If your furnace is giving you trouble, contact us for help.