What Are Some Signs My Furnace Isn't Working Properly?

Like cars, computers, and televisions, an older furnace runs the risk of breaking down much more often than a newer model. Just because a furnace has a few more miles on it than the new units, however, doesn’t mean it can’t run perfectly well if it is occasionally inspected by professionals. In general, the timeline for a furnace age is around ten years; after ten years they’ve often developed at least one clog or complication that lowers their efficiency and makes it more difficult to heat up a home. What are some of the furnace warning signs for old units?

Depending on the make of your furnace and the size of your home, you may be able to turn on the heating and feel the room warm up to a perfect level in a matter of minutes. If it takes longer to warm up a house than it did in previous years, it might indicate that an older furnace has developed leaks that are causing the hot air to escape before it can be piped in through the ducts to your room. A furnace inspection will check for leaky ducts that reduce the amount of hot air going from Point A to Point B. Some leaks may be tiny and almost harmless, but some leaks can be keeping most of the hot air from reaching its destination.

Even though the parts of a furnace are bolted down, over the course of years and decades the screws can come loose and the motion of the machine can jar the various parts. This results in obstructed airflow and less heat reaching the home. An inspection will look into the outflow ducts of an old unit to eliminate any blockages and to re-attach any parts that might be getting in the way.

If your furnace is nearing double digits, or if it hit that mark long ago, contact your HVAC contractor today in order to get an inspection and check out solutions for home heating problems. Furnaces can last a lifetime if properly maintained, but if problems arise their ability to keep a house warm can be compromised.