What Are Signs My Furnace Might Be Dying?
It can be scary knowing that your furnace could go out at any second. If you’ve started noticing that your furnace is acting differently, you might already assume that your furnace is on its way out. If that is the case, start watching for these signs to let you know that a new furnace installation might be in your near future.
Age Of The Unit
One of the first things you want to consider is how old the unit is. Any of these other signs could potentially just point to a repair need. However, if there is an obvious repair need, partnered with a furnace that is nearing the end of its expected lifespan, then you should assume that your furnace might be on its way out for good. On average, furnaces can last anywhere between 15-20 years. While this number can vary from unit to unit, once your furnace starts nearing the 15-year mark, you should start watching for more signs that the unit is going out.
Frequent Need For Repairs
Similarly, if your furnace is starting to near the end of its expected lifespan, there is a chance that you will start to need more and more repairs on the unit. As your furnace ages, its efficiency and ability to effectively warm your home up might decrease. This will lead to the furnace potentially incurring damage as the unit has to work harder to produce the same effect. If you have had to call for a repair on your furnace more than once a year, it might be worth considering having the unit replaced in its entirety.
Unexpected Increase In Electricity Bill
While it might be common for your electricity bill to increase in the winter, once winter arrives, you can typically estimate your monthly energy bill. However, if you notice that you have a bill that was unexpectedly and inexplicably higher than normal, it’s time to start looking for the culprit. While many things around your house might lead to a higher energy bill, one place you might want to check is your furnace. If your furnace is damaged, then it won’t be running efficiently, meaning it will have to work harder and longer to warm your house up to your desired temperature. This invariably leads to a spike in your electric bill that is completely unexpected.
Odd Sounds And Smells
When your furnace turns on, likely, you don’t even hear it anymore. Sure, maybe when you first moved in or when you first turned it on for the season, you might pick up on the noise your furnace makes when it switches on. But, after a while, it’s common to tune out the low hum of the furnace running! However, when that sound changes, it’s easy to hear. If your furnace has started sounding different, or if you’ve noticed odd sounds like clanging, whirring, or screeching, then you need to have the unit checked out. The same goes for smells. While it might be normal to have an odd smell the first couple of minutes after you turn the heater on for the first time of the season, if the smell lasts longer than a few minutes or is recurring in any way, call for an HVAC technician immediately.
