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Does it Need to be Replaced? 6 Furnace Warning Signs


January 22, 2016


6 tips furnaceHaving an up-to-date furnace that runs properly is paramount to the health and happiness of yourself and your family. If your furnace is on its last legs, it could have dangerous side-effects, including rising energy bills and carbon monoxide poisoning, not to mention the possibility of spending a very cold night waiting for the repairman to arrive when your furnace breaks down. If you see warning signs, take care of them before an emergency arises. Here are a few signs that it’s time to make a call to in a Utah Furnace Specialist:

  1. Is your burner flame yellow instead of blue? If your flame is yellow and/or flickering, it could be a sign of the presence of carbon monoxide. Other possible signs of carbon monoxide leaks are:
    • Rust on the outside of your vent pipe
    • Rusting on appliance jacks, flue pipes, or other pipe connections,
    • No upward draft in your chimney
    • Water leaking from the base of the flue pipe, chimney, or vent
    • Streaks of soot around furnace
    • Unusual amounts of moisture on walls, windows, or other cold surfaces
  2. How old is your furnace? Furnace life expectancy is 16-20 years. Does your furnace have a pilot light? If so, it’s certain to be at least 25 years old!
  3. Are your gas or electric bills rising? With age and without proper maintenance, your furnace will lose its efficiency, requiring it to run longer to produce the same amount of heat.
  4. Any furnace repairs in the last two years? Furnaces incur the most breakdowns in their last two years of usable life. If the number of breakdowns has been rising, it’s time to start looking into a furnace replacement.
  5. Does your thermostat keep you comfortable? Are some rooms consistently warmer or colder than the rest? Do you have to constantly adjust the thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature? If so, your furnace has lost the ability to distribute heat properly throughout your house.
  6. Have you been feeling ill? Burning in the nose or eyes, headache, nausea, disorientation, and flu-like symptoms are all signs of carbon monoxide, the most likely culprit for which is a cracked furnace heat exchanger.

Keep your family warm and your bills low this winter by having a fully functioning furnace. Think you need a tune-up or a new furnace but you’re not quite sure? Give us a call at (801) 438-4910! We will send our technician out to evaluate your furnace then provide you with an estimate. Contact us today to set an appointment and trust Superior for all Utah furnace repair needs.