7 Warning Signs Your Furnace Will Fail Soon

If your furnace or boiler seems to be working much harder than usual, is delivering less air than normal, producing inadequate heat, generating unusual noises, or just seems to be functioning improperly in general, contact Climatrol right away. The earlier issues are detected, the less involved and expensive repairs tend to be.

When to Contact Climatrol

If you have noticed any of the following signs and are wondering if you should have your furnace inspected, repaired, or replaced, call the Comfort Crew right away. As North-Central West Virginia’s most trusted HVAC contractor, we can accurately diagnose a failing system and advise you of your options before your furnace fails completely and leaves you to wake up in the freezing cold on a winter night.

1. Skyrocketing Heating Bills – Unless your actual energy rates have dramatically increased, if you are seeing much higher energy bills, it is a pretty good sign that your furnace is failing to operate efficiently and likely in need of repair or replacement.

2. Constant Need to Adjust Thermostat – If you feel like you are constantly adjusting the thermostat to get the heat you need, some rooms always feel too hot or too cold, or the furnace seems to be blowing cold air, your furnace may be unable to keep up with your home’s heating needs.

3. Frequent Repairs – Have you spent hundreds of dollars on repair costs only to require another costly repair soon afterward? As furnaces near the end of their usable life, repairs often become more frequent and costly, as older parts are more difficult to locate.

4. Strange Noises – When a furnace nears the end of its lifespan it tends to operate erratically and make unusual noises such as banging, squealing, rattling, and popping, as well as running constantly or turning off and on in rapid succession.

5. Excessive Dust & Dryness – Have you noticed dust coming into your home from your vents? Replace your filters and check again. If a visible amount of dust is entering your home, this may be a sign of impending furnace failure. Signs of furnace-related dryness can include dry skin, droopy plants, static electricity discharges, cracked wood, and a generally stale, “stuffy” feeling. These signs may indicate your furnace is failing to operate properly.

6. Yellow Burner Flame – The burner flame of your furnace should burn a steady blue. If you are seeing yellow in the flame, flickering, black soot production, excess moisture production, or rust issues affecting the flue, your furnace should be inspected right away, especially if you or your family are feeling unwell. There is a possibility that carbon monoxide could be leaking from a cracked heat exchanger. All homes should include both smoke and CO detectors.

7. Age of Furnace – Generally, most furnaces can be expected to provide 15-20 years of service. If your furnace is more than 15 years old and is showing signs of failure, you may want to start shopping for a replacement soon. This will allow you to take your time, comparison shop, and plan your purchase instead of being blindsided and making the decision in a state of panic.

Can We Save Your Furnace?

The decision to repair or replace is up to you. At Climatrol, we maintain, repair, and replace all makes and models of furnaces, boilers, heat exchangers, and other heating systems. When making the decision to repair or replace the unit, some things to consider include the total cost now and for the life of the equipment, its age, as well as the impact of potential energy savings. Furnaces manufactured today are far more energy efficient than those manufactured 10-20 years ago, so a furnace replacement may actually end up paying for itself. Unfortunately, if there are any serious safety issues, such as a carbon monoxide leak that cannot be repaired, the furnace should be replaced immediately.


Discount Furnace Inspection and Maintenance

With regular inspections and maintenance, your furnace will operate with peak efficiency and performance for as long as possible. In many cases, a well-maintained furnace can deliver decades of service. Don’t let furnace failure sneak up on you. With regular bi-annual inspections and professional maintenance, you will always know the status and condition of your equipment so you can make the best possible choices at all times. Be sure to schedule regular furnace maintenance to protect your heating system investment. Sign up for the Climatrol Comfort Club for discounted maintenance service and other valuable benefits year-round.

Prompt Diagnosis and Repair of All Furnace Problems

Don’t let furnace failure take you by surprise! Contact Climatrol for all your heating system installation, maintenance, and repair needs in Clarksburg, Bridgeport, and all of North-Central West Virginia. Let the Comfort Crew look over your system, diagnose the problem, let you know exactly what condition your furnace is in, halt any problems in their tracks, and help keep your furnace running its best for as long as possible. Contact us to learn more about your options, to schedule service, or request a free quote: (304) 623-0606.