Most Common Signs of a Dying Furnace

For the most part, furnaces are made to last for years and years. But it will come to a point when a replacement is necessary. How do you know if your unit is about to retire?

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your leading heating company in Dellwood MN. With over four decades of experience in the home comfort industry, we can identify whether or not a furnace is due for a replacement. Our goal is to help families stay comfortable and safe, and their homes energy-efficient all year round.

Here are some of the most obvious signs your heating system is dying.

Cold Air Instead of Warm

During the coldest nights of winter, you’d want your furnace to be able to deliver warm air throughout your home, and when it doesn’t, it can get pretty frustrating, doesn’t it? If you notice that the furnace is releasing cold air instead of warm, it’s telling you that there’s either a problem with the airflow or the motor within the blower fan. If you’re certain that the filter is clean and there’s no airflow issue, the blower motor is likely the culprit. Such a problem is repairable. However, if the unit is too old, and replacement parts aren’t easy to procure, you might want to consider getting a new furnace altogether instead.

Repeated Repairs

Just like an old car, an aging furnace tends to work with worn-out parts. Therefore, it begins to show signs of inefficiency. When repairs are slowly becoming the new normal for you, this could indicate your existing furnace is due for a replacement soon. It means that the unit is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced at any time.

Typically, furnaces require more repairs in the last two years of their life. The problem is, the older the furnace, the harder it is to find replacement parts. So, if you notice a rise in the frequency of repairs, investing in a new furnace might be a better choice than trying to keep up with a deteriorating heating system.

Unexplainable Increase in Heating Bills

Old furnaces are notorious for consuming too much energy without necessarily delivering satisfactory heat. As a result, you get disappointed both by the furnace’s subpar performance and the exorbitant energy bills. This problem is particularly true during the peak season since your furnace works extra hard to keep your home warm.

Most of the time, replacing or cleaning the filter should fix the problem. However, if the filter is clean yet the bills still don’t seem to make sense, the age factor may kick in. Old furnaces have a low AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating, which means a significant amount of the fuel goes up the chimney instead of being converted into usable heat. For a long-term solution, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace, which guarantees superb heating and low monthly energy costs. Look for a unit that bears the ENERGY STAR label, which means the furnace meets and exceeds the government’s standards for energy efficiency.

Intermittent Sickness in the Family

Older furnaces can develop cracks in the heat exchanger, the part that passes heat from the burner into the air. These cracks likely result in the leakage of carbon monoxide, a rather harmful gas.

For this reason, experts recommend having working carbon monoxide detectors in your home, which will alert you of the amount of this deadly gas on your premises.

If there has been a leak of this dangerous gas in your home, you will show symptoms like headaches, nausea, disorientation, irritation of the skin and eyes, and other signs of illness. Opening your windows can help air out your home but it is not enough to completely get rid of the problem. It is vitally important to call a heating technician immediately to seal up the leaks and make the necessary repairs to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.

However, if the damage is too serious and the unit is too old, a replacement is a likely recommendation. A new furnace will guarantee safe operation and cleaner indoor air for your home.

Ask Four Seasons Air Specialists

If you need professional advice, talk to one of our White Bear Lake furnace repair and installation experts. We’ll provide you with scientific data and relevant information to help you make a wise decision.