Signs Your Furnace is Failing

In the heart of winter, with freezing snow and icy weather battering our homes, we rely on our furnaces a lot.  No one wants to be stuck with a furnace that has suddenly failed them.  Spotting the early warning signs is key to preventing a heating emergency, a lot of panic and a cold house.

1. Strange noises

Furnaces can produce a whole host of noises when something’s wrong.  When spotted early, most problems for a young-mid aged furnace can be fixed simply, and make sense.  If you start to notice any unusual noises that are new, such as squealing, clicking, grinding or popping contact a professional company such as Riley Plumbing Company to assess the issue.

2. Increasing cold/flu-like symptoms

This can be hard to spot, but an uncharacteristic increase in cold or flu-like symptoms in your household could potentially be due to a carbon monoxide leak from a failing gas furnace.  This is less likely with newer furnaces and more likely in older furnaces that are on the way out.

It’s widely known that carbon monoxide is the silent killer, odorless, colorless and tasteless.  In higher doses it is extremely dangerous, in low doses it can cause cold and flu-like symptoms that persist.
If you have a gas furnace, the safest thing you can do for your family is to buy a carbon monoxide detector.  If you have any concerns, contact a furnace repair service such as Riley Plumbing Company.

3. Your furnace is over 15 years old

Many of us don’t know exactly how old our furnaces are.  If you simply have the sense that your furnace is really old, that should be enough cause to question things.  You should also be able to check the age of the furnace from the unit itself – look for an information label attached somewhere.

On average furnaces last between 15-20 years.  Generally speaking, the older they are, the less efficient they are, and the greater the risk there is that they’ll break down on you.  Even if your furnace still appears to be working fine, it could be working harder than it used to due to its age, so your energy bills increase, and wear on the unit increases as well.

4. Dry / dusty air

This can be caused by humidity control problems, but it can also be caused by an old furnace or improperly sized furnace.

Old furnaces are less able to moisturize and clean the air in your home, even if you have clean filters.  Do you find that you get a dry throat dry or dry skin?  Does anyone in your home suffer from allergies to airborne dust, dander, mold or pollen?  These things can suggest that your furnace is no longer able to provide you with the right level of comfort.

Dry air can also be caused by an undersized system that’s running too frequently or an oversized system that’s not running long enough.  If you have concerns, speak to a furnace specialist to determine if the system you have is right for your home.

5. Frequent repairs

Do you keep paying out for furnace repairs?  There must come a time when you wonder if it’s all worth it or whether you’d be better off purchasing a new system.   Increasing repairs might fix problems in the short term, but it could also be a sign that the furnace is failing and will soon go out on you entirely.

6. Increased heating bills

Have your energy bills gone up from what they used to be?  A failing furnace can be the culprit.  As furnaces age they become less efficient which can result in higher energy costs.

7. Your home has cold spots

Are some rooms in your home colder than others?  If your furnace is old it may be having a hard time heating your home, and this can be a sign that it’s going to be on the way out.  Furnace repairs can provide a temporary solution, but sometimes it’s better to replace the furnace before it causes a problem again.

If you have concerns with your furnace and you live in the New Britain, Berlin or wider Hartford County, CT area, call Riley Plumbing Company: 860-225-1534.  Riley are a top-rated furnace repair and service company, A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.