As a homeowner in South Dakota, you know the importance of a working furnace. It can be the biggest layer of protection between us and brutal winter weather. When the temperature drops, you want confidence that your unit will work properly.
The friendly team of experts at Howe, Inc., can help. There are a number of signs you can keep an eye out for that indicates your furnace may be starting to fail. By watching for these signs, you can schedule furnace replacement before you’re suddenly left without heat in the middle of a blizzard. If you’re considering a new or replacement furnace, call or text Howe today at 605-339-2020 to get started.
How to Recognize Signs Your Furnace Is Going Out
Age of the furnace: The average life expectancy of a typical furnace is 16-20 years. If your furnace is in that age range, call a professional so they can take a look.
Increase in energy bills: A failing furnace can suck up resources and lead to an increase in your monthly utility bills. If you’ve noticed higher bills without an obvious explanation, you could need a replacement furnace soon.
Higher frequency of repair bills: Have you had to replace any key components of your furnace system over the past couple years? A failing furnace can cause increasing repair bills over time. We generally advise furnace replacement if the cost of a repair will exceed more than half the cost of a new system.
Slow or inadequate heating: If the furnace fails to ignite often or is tripping, this can be a sign furnace repair is needed. But if you’re constantly having to adjust the temperature in your home, it could sometimes be a sign your heating system is approaching breakdown.
Loud banging or squealing noises: Is your furnace producing banging and squealing noises? Those sounds can be a signal that your heater has stopped working efficiently.
Discolored or damaged pilot light: This could indicate you need a replacement, but also indicates you may need prompt service. A discolored or yellow pilot light can indicate there isn’t sufficient oxygen and the furnace is burning inefficiently. The pilot light flame should burn blue, and a pilot light burning yellow is likely producing carbon monoxide as a byproduct.
Should You Replace a Furnace Before It Breaks?
We recommend scheduling furnace replacement before the system breaks down for good. This allows homeowners enough time to carefully research what replacement furnace they’d like installed. No one wants to be without heating in the winter, and rushing a furnace installation due to discomfort can cause unnecessary stress.
Don’t ignore the signs! If you’ve noticed increasing furnace issues, call or text the professionals at Howe today. You can schedule a visit with one of our certified furnace technicians to ensure you and your family enjoys a warm winter. Call or text 605-339-2020 today to get started.
