Winters can be brutal, so the last thing you want to do is be stuck in your home in below-freezing temperatures without a working furnace. If you have been putting off replacing the furnace in your home in hopes that it will get you through just one brutal winter, now may the time to rethink waiting. You may be able to get by with making a few repairs, but sooner or later, it will just quit, and in most situations, it’s when you least expect it. To help ensure you stay warm and cozy this winter, here are a few signs that it’s time to contact Denver Heating to replace your old furnace.
Age
With routine maintenance, the average life span for a gas furnace is about 18-20 years, but Energy Star typically recommends that a furnace be replaced when it is 15 or more years old. A furnace that is over 15 years old most likely doesn’t have the energy-saving features that a newer furnace has, which means your furnace is working harder than it needs to just get your home somewhat warm.
Increased Energy Costs
Although there may be a number of reasons why your energy bills have increased, in most situations it’s due to an insufficient furnace. As the internal parts of the furnace begin to wear out, it causes the furnace to work harder than it did to keep up with the temperature. This additional work most likely causes your gas and electric bills to go up. Contacting a heating company to replace the furnace will not only allow you to stay warm this winter, but it will also help to reduce your heating costs.
Frequent Repairs
Studies have shown that most furnaces require the most repairs during the last few years of their lifespan. Although there are repairs that can be done, frequently calling an HVAC company to repair an old furnace means that at some point, it isn’t worth the cost of repairs. When you add up all of the repair costs you’ve paid over the last few years, it’s no longer cost-efficient to avoid buying a new furnace.
One of the most important things you need to keep in mind when it comes to your gas furnace is safety. If you turn the furnace on, the flame should be blue; if it is yellow it may be a sign that the furnace is producing carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. The very least the problem maybe is that the fuel isn’t burning as efficiently and as clean as it should. Any color of the furnace flame that is not blue may be an indication of a problem, including incomplete combustion, such as leaking gas. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless gas that can be deadly if you are exposed to it, so it is critical that you are aware of the signs that your furnace is producing carbon monoxide, which may include soot around the furnace or extra moisture on walls. Contact a professional heating company immediately if you suspect a carbon monoxide leak.