As temperatures start to drop and flurries begin to appear, “winter is coming”. The one piece of equipment that all homeowners need to ensure is working properly before the “freeze” of winter hits is the furnace or heating system. Not only will a poorly operating heating system not keep you warm and comfortable during the coldest of nights, it can be unsafe for you and your family.

Following are 6 signs that your furnace is in bad shape. If you are experiencing any of these, call a local heating company to have it inspected. Don’t wait for a failure or crisis situation. Needing furnace repair in Franklin or any other city in Southeastern Wisconsin can be both frustrating and costly, especially if you require emergency repair services after hours.

Is Your Furnace Over 15 Years Old?

The national average life expectancy of a residential furnace today is about 16 – 20 years. If your furnace has a pilot light, it is probably over 20 years old. Older furnaces are not as energy efficient as newer models, need more maintenance, have parts that are wearing down and are more susceptible to failures. If nothing else, call an experienced heating company to inspect your older furnace every fall before winter arrives. This will keep you informed if your furnace will last the coming winter and keep you and your family safe and comfortable.

Have You Needed More Frequent Furnace Repairs in the Last Few Years?

Furnaces are like cars; they need annual maintenance to stay in top shape, especially as they age. As they get older, the usage wears out parts that need to be replaced. Older furnaces will experience part failures much more frequently and most breakdowns occur during the last 5 years of their life. If you are experiencing the need for repairs every year, your furnace may be nearing its end.

Are You Seeing Higher Energy Bills?

As furnaces age, they become less efficient. This is made even worse when they are not properly serviced and maintained. Older furnaces must run longer and work harder to provide the same amount of heat as newer furnaces. This issue will cause you more money in energy usage and show up on your monthly utility bills.

Do You Have Cold Spots in Your Home?

Do you find that some rooms in your home are not kept as warm as others? Are some too cool, while others are too warm? Are you constantly adjusting your thermostat to keep your home comfortable? If you answer yest to any of these questions, your furnace is not distributing heated air properly throughout your home. You could look at zoning your home, if it is not already zoned; however, if the comfort issues are recent, it is probably a sign that your furnace has lost its ability to properly heat your home.

Is Your Furnace Making Strange Noises or Operating Differently?

Are your hearing strange noises from your furnace? If you hear banging, popping, rattling, squealing or other weird noises, it is a sign to call an experienced heating company immediately.

Have you experienced any changes in how your furnace is operating? Is it blowing cold air, or is the blower running constantly, or is it shutting off and on frequently? These are all signs that your furnace is having problems that indicate a newer furnace may be needed.

Is Your Furnace’s Flame Yellow?

The burner flame in your furnace should be a bright blue color. If it is yellow or flickers, your furnace may be emitting carbon monoxide, which is a very dangerous and poisonous gas. If you do not see a solid blue flame, call an HVAC contractor immediately. Older furnaces can develop cracks in the heat exchanger that can allow carbon monoxide to leak into a home undetected. Hopefully, you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home but, if you think you may have an issue, call an expert ASAP.

Call New Berlin Heating & Air Conditioning for Your Heating Needs

We have been one of the leading heating companies in Franklin and all of Southeastern Wisconsin for over 30 years. Our field technicians are NATE certified to ensure that we provide the absolute best in furnace installations, furnace repair, central air conditioning. ac repair and indoor air quality. If you are in need of any heating and cooling services, please call New Berlin Heating & Air Conditioning. We want to show you why our customers keep coming back!