When is the last time you thought about your furnace? The truth is, most people don’t give their furnaces much thought at all. That is, as long as they are working as they should be. It’s only when your furnace stops working that it gets your attention. The trouble with that is that by the time your furnace stops working altogether, you could be in for a costly repair bill. Prevent that situation by knowing the warning signs to look for.
Getting on in years
Just like the rest of us, your furnace won’t work as well in its old age as it did when it was new. Generally, a furnace will have a lifespan of about 15 years, so if yours is approaching that mark it may not be performing as it should and it might be time to upgrade. Upgrading your furnace will avoid the inevitable HVAC repair NYC homeowners will have to face with an older furnace. What’s more, you’ll also save money because your new furnace will be more energy efficient.
A spike in your monthly bills
If you’ve noticed that your energy bills have been higher than usual lately, that could your furnace’s way of telling you it needs some attention. It’s possible that your furnace isn’t working at optimal levels, causing it to work harder and use more energy to produce the same amount of heat.
Things that go bump in the night
If you’ve ever asked yourself “what’s that strange noise?” in your house, what you’re hearing could be your furnace’s cry for help. A malfunctioning furnace will make its presence known by squeaking, moaning or banging. Don’t ignore these sounds; they could indicate a serious issue.
Frequent repair club
Are you a member of the Frequent Furnace Repair Club?
If you have recently become on a first-name basis with the furnace repair man, it might be time to replace your furnace. It’s normal to try to buy time by repairing a furnace with things start to go wrong, but the truth is you can actually save money by replacing a furnace that frequently breaks down with a new one. If you’ve had a series of service calls in the recent past, it could be time to look into replacing your furnace.
Inconsistent temperatures
If you are struggling to keep the temperature constant in your house, that could be a sign that your furnace needs to be fixed. When a furnace doesn’t work optimally, it can struggle to keep the temperature constant and you can end up having to constantly adjust the thermostat. That uses more energy and costs more money.
If you notice any of these symptoms, call your furnace repair technician. They can evaluate your furnace and determine whether or not you might be better off replacing your furnace. The most important thing is to pay attention to these signs and symptoms, because they are very likely your furnace’s way of telling you something is wrong.
