For the majority of the year, a heater may be an appliance that is all but forgotten by those living near the Texas coast. Even though winters are short in places lining the Texas coast, they are still cold and often wet and dreary. During those times, your heater no longer becomes an appliance taken for granted. You and your family should be able to rely on your furnace to keep you warm and safe from the winter elements.
On average, a heater’s lifespan is a couple of decades, with some units working until they are 30 years old. More noticeable wear begins to show around the 15-year mark. If you are spending too much on repair costs, it may be time to replace the whole furnace. The following guide from Air Tech explains when it is time for a new heater replacement.
Heater’s age
As mentioned, your home’s furnace should operate well for 15 to 30 years. If your heater is less than ten years old, it may be more cost-effective to make repairs as needed. Air Tech of Conroe offers furnace repair for Conroe residents.
When your heater is 15 years old, it is time to begin researching heater replacement options. With regular maintenance and repairs, your furnace may function well up to 15 years. Once your heater is past its 15-year mark, it is time to start researching heater replacement options.
Furnace noises
- Banging or booming noises can come from expanding ductwork as it warms or cools. More seriously, these noises can be a sign of a problem with the heater’s ignition.
- Knocking or clunking sounds are not normal heater sounds. They can come from misaligned fan blades or a broken fan belt.
- Rumbling or roaring noises that continue after a heating cycle could be a sign of built-up fuel in the combustion chamber. This can cause high levels of carbon monoxide in your home. If this noise happens, turn off your furnace and call a technician right away.
- Humming or whirring normally occurs at the beginning of a cycle. However, if it is loud or continues throughout the whole cycle, it could be a problem with the motor.
- Screeching or scraping noises happen when metal scratches against metal. This could be from a loose fan or other parts of the furnace. Turn off your heater and contact a professional if you hear this sound.
Temperature fluctuations
The heat in your home should travel through each of the rooms and heat every area evenly. If you feel a definite drop in temperature from one room to another, that is a sign your furnace is not running efficiently. This is especially true for heaters that are older than 15 years. If this is happening in your home, it is time to seriously consider getting a new heater installation.
High energy bills and repair costs
If most of your heater repairs have occurred in the last two years and your furnace is around 15 years old, it may be more cost effective to buy a replacement. This is also true if your heater has to run longer to heat up your home, which uses more energy and costs more each month. Compare your most recent energy heating bill with bills from previous years.
Has the cost gone up significantly? Sometimes replacing a unit makes more financial sense than repairing a furnace over and over.
Soot and yellow flames
Soot around your furnace register can indicate too much carbon dioxide production. Dust and soot build up around this air duct cover is a sign that you need your heater looked at by a professional. Another call to action is your furnace burner giving off yellow flames instead of blue.
This can be a sign of carbon monoxide production or even a dangerous gas leak. In either case, contact a heating specialist right away.
Heater replacement and installation
There are many reasons why your furnace might become less efficient. Be it age, worn out equipment or broken parts, heater replacement is an inevitability.
If it is time to install a new furnace in your home, contact Air Tech of Conroe to take advantage of our premium services.