8 Signs Your Furnace May Need to Be Replaced
If you’ve lived in Huntsville, Madison County, or any area of North Alabama for any period of time, you know that our weather is about as predictable as, well, the weather. Soon, you’re going to need your heating system, and you’re going to need it to work properly! If you heat your home with a furnace, there are certain signs that it might be time to replace it to ensure you’re not left in the cold this winter.
1. The Age of Your System
If you’re like most homeowners, it’s likely your furnace was already in place when you moved into your home, which means it could be nearing the end of its lifespan. While furnaces can last a lot longer than AC systems, they will reach a point in their old age where they just can’t perform like they used to.
If your furnace is 15-20 years old, it might be time to start thinking about investing in a new one. Locate the owner’s manual or look up the system’s model number located on the furnace itself to determine the age of your system and whether it’s time for a replacement.
2. Rising Energy Bills
An increase in energy bills is the major indicator that you may need furnace replacement. If you’re experiencing higher than normal or steadily rising energy bills, your furnace isn’t running as efficiently as it should. While it may need repair, it could also be nearing the end of its life. Call the professionals at Garrison & Garrison to help you determine what needs to be done.
3. Excessive Dust, Dirt, Soot, or Rust
If you notice more dust, dander, soot, rust or dirt building up within your home while your furnace is running, it might be time to install a new system. If you’ve always noticed a good bit of airborne contaminants floating through your home, it’s never a bad idea to get an air purification system. A professional from Garrison & Garrison can do an air quality assessment of your home to determine the right system for you.
Plus, air purification systems work alongside your furnace or air conditioner, so whether you decide to replace your system or not, you can still get cleaner air for your home.
4. Humidity Issues
Humidity within your home is a concern for all North Alabama homeowners in the winter. This is especially true if you have wood floors or other wooden accents and structural elements in your home. If you’ve noticed the air within your home to be extremely dry, your furnace could be to blame. You may want to look at replacing it or trying an indoor humidifier during the winter months.
5. Uneven Heating
Do you walk through your home and notice hot and cold spots throughout? If you’ve noticed different rooms within your home being heated unevenly (or not heated at all), first, check your air vents to make sure they’re open to allow proper air flow into each room. If that’s not the issue, your furnace is likely to blame. As your furnace ages, it can be more difficult to push heat evenly throughout your home creating a more uncomfortable atmosphere and increasing your energy bills.
6. Rattling, Buzzing, or Humming
If you notice your system running louder than normal or if it develops rattling, buzzing or humming sounds, it could be time to replace it. When this happens, it could be due to a number of reasons such as cracks or leaks in the furnace, or other structural issues.
7. Rust or Cracks
Reiterating the last point, if you’ve noticed signs of rust or cracks developing in or around your furnace, it’s definitely time to replace it. Unfortunately, in our humid climate, rust is bound to develop over time, and due to regular wear and tear, cracks are common as well. As your furnace ages, keep an eye on it for developing these signs of deterioration.
8. Frequent Repairs
Whether purposefully or not, you’ve probably kept track of how many times an HVAC technician has had to come repair your furnace within the past few years. When you start needing regular repairs just to get some heat in your home, it’s an obvious sign that your furnace is nearing the end of its life. If you see your HVAC repairman more than your friends, it’s time to call Garrison & Garrison for a free estimate on a new furnace for your home.
Contact Us
Garrison and Garrison has been keeping Huntsville and Madison County homeowners comfortable for almost 50 years. If your furnace needs inspecting, repairing, or replacing, you can count on the award winning, factory trained technicians at Garrison and Garrison to provide you with the guidance and assistance you need. Our exclusive one-year buy-back guarantee gives you even more peace of mind when working with us to replace your system.
Garrison & Garrison is a trusted American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Customer Care Dealer in Huntsville, AL. Call us at (256) 859-8500 or email us at [email protected] with any questions or for more information. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. furnace may need to be replaced furnace may need to be replaced furnace may need to be replaced furnace may need to be replaced furnace may need to be replaced
