One of the biggest dangers in a home is using, or at least trying to use, a broken heating or cooling system. Below we discuss some of the biggest red flags that should alert you when you need a new furnace or air conditioner. With the gas that is used to keep these units running, it is for the safety of your home, family members, and neighbors that you replace your furnace or A/C unit when it has reached its end. Watch for these signs you need to replace your furnace or air conditioner this season.
4 Signs You Need To Replace Your Furnace or Air Conditioner
Your yellow pilot light turns on.
A yellow pilot light indicates that there is something wrong with the gas combination in your furnace. This can mean that your furnace is releasing gas, such as carbon monoxide. The ideal color of your pilot light is blue/purple. If you are seeing a yellow flame, then something is certainly not right.
Your electrical bill increases.
Paying attention to the amount you spend on your electrical bill will help you determine if your furnace or air conditioning units are working as efficiently as they should be. Your bill will vary throughout the year because you make your units work harder to keep your home a comfortable temperate during different seasons throughout the year. Noticing an abnormally high bill is a red flag that your furnace needs to be replaced or repaired.
You hear unfamiliar noises.
It is likely that you will constantly have some noise coming from your furnace. When the noise is consistently out of the ordinary, you will want to look into it. Hearing noises that can only be described as whining, banging, or groaning could mean that you need to make some repairs to the furnace. It could be a loose belt, a problem with the ignition, or a replacement of another part. Listening for issues with your furnace is just as important as seeing them.
Your Furnace or air conditioner requires frequent repairs.
One tried and true sign that your air conditioner or furnace needs replacing is if they are in need of constant repair. Pouring money into these units little by little can add up quickly, especially if you need to repair them often. The average life of an A/C unit is roughly around 10 years, whereas a furnace can usually last between 12-15 years. If your air conditioner or furnace is getting old, it might be time to quit nickel and diming the repairs and just replace the units altogether.
Keeping your home safe from potential serious issues with your furnace or your air conditioning unit is very important. Checking the pilot light, listening for unfamiliar sounds, and watching your electric bill are all great signs you need to replace your furnace or air conditioner. When your A/C unit or furnace are nearing their life expectancy, start thinking about getting them replaced instead of pouring money into countless repairs. This will keep your family safe and allow you to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.