Imagine waking up feeling cold in the middle of a chilly winter night to check if you left the window open, only to find out that it’s your furnace that has failed. If your furnace breaks down, it can take up to a few days for it to get fixed, which means you’ll have to sleep in a cold house till then.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could know whether your furnace is failing before it actually gives up completely? It’ll be a life-saver! For this very reason, we have listed down some signs that can indicate that your furnace is failing and that it needs to be repaired.
1. Dust
Check for dust near the furnace vents. If you notice that too much dust is coming from the vents of your furnace, this shows that the device is failing to adequately clean the air. What you need to do as a primary step is to clean the filters. However, if the furnace continues to give out dust, it is a sign that your furnace needs professional attention.
2. Age
A furnace’s average lifespan is 15 to about 20 years. You can check the serial number present at the backside of the furnace to see when exactly it was manufactured. If your furnace is more than 15 to 20 years old, expect it to break down any time soon. To make sure you don’t have to spend a torturous cold night, replace your furnace before the winter sets its mark.
3. Yellow Pilot Light
If you peek inside your furnace’s front panel, you’ll see a pilot flame. If this pilot light appears yellow in color, it is an indication that there is a leakage of carbon monoxide within the furnace. In this case, you need to call a professional technician as soon as possible to get the problem fixed.
4 . Cold Air
Another sign that furnace repair is in order is when your furnace gives out cold air instead of hot air. This could possibly be due to a fault in the furnace fan that is causing the furnace to give out cold air. This could also be because of a number of other reasons. Whatever the case is, it sure is a sign that your furnace is failing and you need to call a professional to get it repaired.
5. Strange Noises
If you hear any squeaks or pops coming from your furnace, it is an indication that furnace repair is in order. These unusual sounds coming from a furnace are a sign that something inside the unit has gotten loose that needs to be fixed.
6. Spike in Energy Bills
A sudden increase in energy bills is also a sign that your furnace is failing. Either you need to get furnace repair or replace the entire unit altogether before the onset of winters.
Summary
Signs that your furnace is failing and furnace repair is in order include unusual sounds, cold air, and dust coming from the furnace, a yellow-colored pilot light, and a sudden increase in energy bills.