Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?

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Your furnace is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. If your oil or gas furnace is 12 years old or younger and has been properly maintained, don’t worry about replacing it just yet. The average life expectancy of a furnace is 16-20 years. Focus on the energy efficiency of other areas in your home and continue to perform regular, proper maintenance on your furnace. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to your furnace:

How Old?

Since the average life expectancy of furnaces is 16-20 years, if your furnace is close to this age or older, it is time to start looking for a new one. It is much better to plan for furnace replacement rather than to purchase one in a panic when it finally fails. The lifespan will vary based on the furnace’s operating environment, so it is important to have your system serviced regularly.

Bills Going Up?

Furnaces will decrease in efficiency as they age, especially without proper maintenance. This results in your oil or natural gas furnace running longer to provide the amount of heat it should be supplying, which is what causes your bill to increase. That money could be used to buy a more energy-efficient furnace.

Natural Gas: Yellow Instead of Blue?

If you have a natural gas or propane furnace, a yellow or flickering flame may be a sign that poisonous carbon monoxide could be created by your furnace. Other signs may include the following:

  • Streaks of soot around furnace
  • Absence of upward draft in chimney
  • Excess moisture on windows, walls, or other cold surfaces
  • Water leaking from base of chimney, vent, or flue pipe
  • Rust on vent pipe visible from the outside
  • Excessive rusting on flue pipes, other pipe connections, or appliance jacks
  • Headaches, nausea, disorientation, and flu-like symptoms

Dry or Dusty House?

Old furnaces can lack the ability to moisturize and clean the air in your home, causing the air to feel stuffy or stale. It may cause members of your family to suffer from allergies to airborne dust, mold, pollen, viruses, or dander. It may also cause dry nose, dry throat, or dry skin.

Joseph Frederick & Sons

To ensure lasting, efficient, and reliable operation from your new system, contact the experts from Joseph Frederick & Sons. For reliable and accurate furnace, boiler, or heat pump installations, get in touch with us today!