5 Signs Your Furnace is Failing

Nobody likes to come home to a cold house, especially during a Sacramento winter as cold as this one. By looking out for these signs of a failing furnace, you can prevent a full breakdown before it happens. Stay alert and stay warm!

Age

The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years. Beyond this time, breakdowns and damage will become more frequent and expensive. If your furnace is having issues and is older than 15, it’s time to look into a replacement. At this age, buying a new furnace will be cheaper than the constant repair costs. If you want to extend the lifespan of your furnace, set up a preventative maintenance program to have a technician perform regular check-ups and cleanings. 

Frequent breakdowns

If your furnace is constantly breaking down and needs frequent repairs, it may be time to get a new one. A furnace that needs repairs more than 2-3 times a year is abnormal. To help you determine whether to replace your unit, compare the cost of repairs with the cost of a new furnace. In some cases, it may be smarter in the long run to buy a new furnace than keep repairing your current one.

Increase in heating bills

If you are using the same amount of heating energy as previous years but your heating bills are significantly higher and increasing, it may be a sign that your furnace is dying. As a furnace gets older or damaged, it becomes less efficient and requires more energy to run, forcing the heating bills higher. Have your furnace diagnosed to find out whether the cause is damage to the unit or just an old, inefficient furnace.

Short Cycling

Short cycling is when your furnace shuts on and off frequently with very little time in between. If your unit is frequently short cycling, it’s likely a sign of a bigger breakdown. 

Abnormal noises

It’s normal for a furnace to make some noise when it starts up and runs. However, if you start to hear abnormal noises that the furnace doesn’t usually make, like banging, rattling, or grinding, it may be a sign of internal damage. If you start hearing loud, odd noises, turn the furnace off and call a technician to get it diagnosed. 

If you notice that your furnace is displaying one or more of these signs, your furnace may be headed towards a complete breakdown. Call a technician to get a full diagnosis on the issue and find out whether you need a simple repair or complete replacement. For whatever you need, Express Refrigeration is here to help!