Don’t Guess. Know When to Replace Your Furnace.

Presented by Enercare

Ever been in a house where one room feels like the arctic and another like the tropics? Is that house, your house? If so, you might be in the market for a new furnace. But just to make sure that’s the case, look out for the following telltale signs.

Telltale Sign #1

Not all noises from basements are ghosts. A furnace that pops, bangs, hums or screeches is in dire need of an assessment. There could be a problem with the fan motor, blower motor, inducer motor, lower motor or any combination of them. Best to call in some assistance.

Telltale Sign #2

Cleaning is a never-ending chore. Living with an older furnace only makes it that much harder. It can spew out dust, dirt and/or rust particles which could be dangerous to your health. If you see soot or rust around your air registers, it means your furnace may be producing too much CO2. Side effects might include excessive dryness around the house and the false belief that plants are bound to whither under your care.

Telltale Sign #3

It’s the little things in life, right? And that includes lower energy bills. Your older furnace could be causing a steady increase in your monthly energy bills right under your nose. Take a look back through the years. If there is indeed a significant difference year to year, consider nipping the problem in the bud and investing in a more energy-efficient, money-saving machine. When you’re shopping, make sure to check out the ENERGY STAR® rating.

Telltale Sign #4

With mechanical issues, you’re bound to hear this sage advice, “Have you tried turning it off and on?” Well, when it comes to furnaces, it does that all on its own. And when it comes to older furnaces, it does that way too often. Give yours a listen. If it’s frequently turning off and on, that means it’s struggling to keep temperatures in the house consistent. But do keep in mind this could be due to insufficient insulation, so make sure to rule that out before raising the alarm.

Telltale Sign #5

We all like to believe that age is just a number. But furnaces can become victims of time like anything else. The average life of a well-maintained furnace can be as long as 25 years – as long as you consistently change the filters, schedule semi-annual inspections and clean its components regularly. If yours is 10 to 15 years old, it’s time to assess how well it’s aged.

So, is it time for a new furnace? Need a professional on the job? Call an Enercare technician for an assessment today or visit Enercare.ca

The ENERGY STAR® name and symbol are trademarks registered in Canada by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are administered and promoted by Natural Resources Canada.