Signs Your Furnace May be Dying

Even the best maintained furnaces only last so long. This is especially true for the older generation of furnaces which, on average, had a maximum lifespan of 15-20 years. That said, many Albertans have furnaces that are older. Check if your furnace has a pilot light — if it does, it’s at least 25 years old. Today’s modern furnaces don’t have pilot lights that are on around the clock. Instead, they’re built with contemporary technology that allows them to run more efficiently with less stress. This means a new furnace that is serviced and maintained annually can live years longer than the older ones. If your furnace doesn’t have a pilot light, but you know it’s at least a decade old, here are some signs that you may want to think about investing in a new, high-efficiency furnace. Here is what you should to consider during your furnace check up.

A Range of Temperatures.

If your bedroom feels like the North Pole, but your living room is the equator, your furnace may have lost its ability to evenly distribute air throughout your home. Before you decide to replace the furnace outright, you may want to find a professional Calgary duct cleaner. But if cleaning the ducts doesn’t help, you’ll likely need to invest in a new furnace. In the meantime, try to close all the ducts in rooms you aren’t using. That will help your dying furnace to get the heat to where it matters most.

Odd Noises.

A furnace that’s beginning to malfunction can produce numerous odd noises in its dying months. Pops, bangs, and squeals are not unusual, but they do signal that your furnace is on its last legs. With winter just a few months away, you’ll want to have your furnace inspected — and probably replaced, if it’s begun to make weird noises.

Higher Gas/Electricity Bills.

This summer was incredibly hot, so we doubt an old furnace has raised your gas or electricity bill over the last couple months. However, going into winter, you may want to keep an eye on your bill. A spike in the price may not be your energy company holding you hostage; it may be your old furnace needing more and more energy to keep your home toasty. While this symptom doesn’t necessarily mean your furnace will fail in the next few months, you may want to replace it anyways — you’ll save money in the long run.

When it comes to furnaces, we always recommend that Albertans be proactive. A furnace emergency in the middle of winter is no fun for anyone, so it’s a good idea to make sure everything is running smoothly before the snow arrives. If you still need to schedule your fall furnace inspection, contact the experts at Plumbing Paramedics today.