10 Signs Your Furnace Should Be Looked at by a Professional
Like a lot of things, a furnace can wear out after years of use. This is the case for homes in Mansfield, Ohio as well as anywhere else in the country. Below are 10 signs that you may need repair or replace your furnace.
1. Your Thermostat Is Ineffective
Usually, to turn on your furnace, you simply need to adjust your thermostat. However, if there is no discernible change in room temperature in your home after your furnace has been running for several minutes, something must be wrong.
2. Your Furnace Sounds Unnatural
No furnace is completely quiet. However, after a decent amount of time, you should become accustomed to the regular sounds your furnace produces. If the sounds suddenly change dramatically, you may have a problem.
3. Your Pilot Light Changes Color
A healthy pilot light should always have a blue appearance. If the color suddenly changes to yellow, this could indicate that the furnace is not receiving the right mixture of gases.
4. Your Electric Bills Go Up
The electricity bills your furnace produces should be rather steady and directly tied to how long you run your furnace each day. If you notice an abnormal hike in your electricity bills, this could be a sign that you furnace is struggling to work efficiently.
5. Your Furnace Struggles to Stay On
Your furnace should kick on immediately after your thermostat has been adjusted. If it doesn’t start running or has trouble remaining on for an extended period of time, it is probably in need of repairs.
6. Your Roof Is Icy
One possible side effect of a furnace that is working incorrectly is ice forming on your roof. This happens when the heat from a furnace travels upwards and melts snow. This can cause serious problems such as the creation of an ice dam.
7. It Is Hard to Breathe
A furnace that isn’t running like it should may lead to poor air quality in your home. This can have a direct effect on your family’s health.
8. Your Furnace Is Ancient
For most homes, a furnace usually has a lifespan of 20 years maximum. If your furnace is near or past this age, you should consider a replacement.
9. Condensation
Condensation on the insides of your windows could be an indication that your furnace needs a tune-up.
10. It Needs Constant Repairs
At most, you should only have to repair your furnace once every few years. If you have paid for multiple repairs within a two year time span, it may be time to invest in a new furnace.