There’s never a convenient time for your HVAC equipment to give out. But a winter’s day (or night) without heat is more than uncomfortable for anyone in your house with fragile health. At the very least, such an individual would need to be evacuated and brought somewhere safe.
So, what’s better than a furnace that calls it quits when you least expect it? Sure, a furnace that speaks to you – in its own way – that trouble is brewing and, to prevent the worse, you need to act.
Here’s just part of the language of a furnace headed for the recycling heap.
Age
Today’s high efficiency furnaces will last 15-20 years with proper care. Older models have an average lifespan of 12-15 years. And yet, without proper care, a furnace can fail in as little as 7 years. There are two morals to this story – be sure to have annual preventive maintenance performed by a licensed HVAC professional. That’s the best way to keep it performing at its best. Secondly, even with proper care, start thinking about replacing it before you have no other choice.
Rising Heating Bills
A furnace is one of the biggest energy hogs in a home. Yet there are ways to make it more energy-efficient, like replacing the filter regularly, replacing older thermostats with programmable models, adding one or more zones so you’re comfortably heating only those rooms you occupy at any one time, and so on. Higher costs coupled with an aging furnace may be reason enough to consider replacement.
Not Enough Heat
Do you find yourself bumping up the temp higher and higher? Do some rooms feel comfortable while others feel like a frozen tundra? It might be time to bring in a pro to look for air leaks, aging components, or outmoded technology.
Cycle Pattern
When the temperature in a home dips below what’s set on the thermostat, a furnace will kick in to bring it back up. Once it does, it turns off. This cycle is repeated over and over as part of normal operation. If you notice yours running constantly or cycling on and off more frequently than normal, the system is not operating as it should be.
Sights, Sounds, and Smells
Make a habit of checking on your furnace. Look for cracks, corrosion, unfamiliar sounds like screeching, grinding, or banging. Also, pay attention to how the furnace room smells. It’s common to notice a musty aroma the first time the furnace is turned on at the start of the heating season, but this smell should not linger for more than a couple of days.
Whether it’s for routine maintenance, diagnosing a repair issue, or installing a replacement furnace, Optimum Air has you covered. Contact us today for the service you need, when you need it.