You will rely on your furnace to keep you warm and comfortable this winter. That’s why it’s wise to schedule preventive maintenance each fall even if you can’t remember any problems with your furnace last winter. Maintenance gets your heating system in top shape for the heating season so you can avoid costly, untimely repairs after the weather turns cold.
Sometimes, unfortunately, your furnace may need more than a simple tuneup. If any of the following circumstances applies, gear up for a repair or replacement.
Your furnace may be in trouble if …
- Your energy bills suddenly surge: A particularly cold month may drive up your heating bills, but if the weather has remained average and you still experience a surge in energy costs, you furnace could be on its last leg.
- Strange sounds are coming from the furnace: Odd noises are more than just annoying. They could be your furnace’s way of calling for help. Squealing, rumbling or other strange sounds are worth addressing immediately if you hope to save your furnace.
- The flame burns yellow: The burner flame should be blue. A yellow, flickering flame could mean that poisonous carbon monoxide fumes are leaking from your furnace. If you spot a yellow flame, don’t delay in having your furnace fixed. In fact, it’s wise to leave the house until a repair or replacement is made because carbon monoxide poisoning can be harmful or even lethal.
- The furnace is getting on in years: Even with proper care and maintenance, no heating system will last forever. If your furnace is approaching 12 to 15 years old, start shopping for a new unit now. This way, you’ll avoid the inevitable repairs that aging furnaces experience, and start saving on the lower energy bills that will result after your purchase a high-efficiency furnace.
If you think your furnace is in trouble, contact the professionals at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning in Fresno today. We deliver quality services to all of our San Joaquin Valley customers.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace trouble and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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