Heating your home costs more money and uses more energy than any other system. Staying warm costs you about 42 percent of your utility bills, and could be costing you even more if you have an old furnace.
Do you have an old furnace in your house? If it is showing these warning signs, it needs to be replaced, stat. Read on to learn what they are.
1. Your Bills Are Increasing
If your monthly bills continue to rise, your furnace may have lost efficiency. When heating systems get older, they lose efficiency because your furnace is working harder and running longer to produce heat. The average American spends $83 a month on natural gas typically for heating, so if your bills are higher, it may be time to replace your furnace.
Newer systems are much more efficient and cost less money to run with advances in technology and regulations. The higher the efficiency rating means that less energy is wasted.
If your current furnace has an 80 percent efficiency rating, it means 20 percent of the energy is wasted. You can find furnaces with 97 percent energy efficiency, which only wastes 3 percent.
2. Furnace Makes Strange Noises
Does your furnace sound louder? Over time, furnaces begin to make strange noises like popping, rattling, screeching, or humming in addition to the normal clicking when it turns on and off. These noises are a sure sign something is wrong.
Popping noises happen when your furnace warms and cools. These could be parts going bad within the system and reacting to the temperature change.
If your furnace rattles, there could be issues with loose ductwork. The motor could be unbalanced.
A furnace that screeches most likely has something wrong with the motor. It could be something with a loose bearing or the belt.
Humming sounds could come from an issue with the fan. Your motor or blower could also be failing.
If you hear any of these noises, it’s time to contact a professional. Click here to get some advice.
3. You Are Not as Comfortable As You Used to Be
Are your rooms different temperatures? If you are adjusting your thermostat more than you used to, this is a sign that your furnace is not distributing the air properly in your home.
4. Your Furnace Is Old
Is your furnace older than 15 years? If so, it’s probably starting to have maintenance issue. When your furnace gets older, it needs more maintenance just like your car.
Furnaces last an average of 15-20 years, so if you are close to that age, it’s probably not worth the repair. If the cost to repair your furnace is more than 15 percent of a new furnace, you should probably replace it.
5. Dirt Around Registers
Older furnaces may begin to scatter additional dirt and dust. This could irritate your health and make it hard to keep your home clean. If you see extra dust around your registers, it means your furnaces has too much carbon dioxide.
Ready to Get Rid of Your Old Furnace?
Getting rid of your old furnace could help you reduce your carbon footprint. If you are looking for other ways to live a green lifestyle check out our website.
