The last thing you want this winter is for your furnace to break down. Service 1st Pros can prevent this with a fall maintenance check that will allow us to inspect your furnace to make sure nothing is wrong. This service lets us fix minor problems before they become major ones. We can also determine whether you need a new furnace. Here are signs that you do.
High Utility Bills
You know the average amount of your utility bills every winter. If your bills have suddenly gotten much higher, it’s likely that you need a new furnace. At a certain point, the furnace will get too old and be unable to operate efficiently. Consequently, you will notice a significant difference in the cost to heat your home. In some cases, the furnace can be repaired to reduce your utility bills.
Incorrect Cycling
The cycling of a furnace is when it turns on and off. You set your thermostat to the desired indoor temperature and the furnace turns on every time the temperature drops below that. It runs until the desired temperature is reached and then shuts off. If your furnace isn’t cycling correctly or running all the time, there is something wrong and it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Lukewarm Air
Another sign that you need a new furnace is lukewarm or cold air blowing out of the vents. It’s possible that the furnace simply cannot heat your home anymore and, as a consequence, it’s time to replace it. Check your pilot light to make sure it is lit. If it is, yet you aren’t getting hot air blowing out of your household vents, there is something wrong with the furnace and it likely needs to be replaced.
Strange Sounds/Odors
Strange sounds and unpleasant odors are also a sign that your furnace is dying. You shouldn’t hear any strange noises such as banging, clanking, grinding, or squealing. If you hear strange sounds, shut the furnace off call us right away. Also, when you first turn on your furnace in the winter, you get a musty odor coming out of the vents. That is the only odor you should smell. If you smell any other strange odors, especially fuel, shut the furnace off and give us a call.
The Furnace Is Old
Finally, the age of your furnace can determine whether it needs to be replaced. Furnaces are not manufactured to last forever. No piece of machinery lasts forever. The average lifespan of a household furnace is 15 years. Some people have been known to get 20 years out of their furnace. Either way, if your furnace is this old and you are experiencing the signs above, you may need to replace it this winter.
We can help here at Service 1st Pros in Auburn, GA. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We will inspect your furnace to determine if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.