Your heating system should warm you home without using excessive amounts of energy or endangering the indoor air quality. Do you know when to replace your old furnace before it costs you more money or becomes unsafe? Information is key, as is routine furnace repair in Cupertino, CA. If you think your furnace might need to be replaced, here are eight questions to ask yourself:
- How Old is Your Furnace?
Replacing a furnace out of necessity can be costly and stressful, and you want to avoid that as best you can. Instead you should replace your furnace as a planned home improvement. A good place to start is determining the age of your furnace and comparing it to the national average. Most furnaces last an average of 15 to 20 years. So if your furnace is getting up there, and is close to this age or older, then you should start preparing to replace it.
- Have You Noticed a Spike in Your Gas and Electric Bills?
Inflation is not the only reason for a rise on your gas and electric bills. As furnaces age they lose efficiency, especially without proper maintenance. If you have an older furnace it probably has to run longer to generate the same amount of heat for your home. Instead of paying that money to the gas and electric company you could be putting it towards a new furnace.
- Have You Gotten Routine Furnace Repair in the Last Two Years?
Furnaces, like most appliances, require maintenance. And as they age you can replace a part one year and need to replace something else the next. It won’t take long before you are spending hundreds of dollars a year just to keep the system running. In the last two years of their lifespan furnaces incur the most breakdowns. So if you are getting repair after repair, that is a sure sign you should start looking for a new furnace.
- Does Your Furnace Keep Your Home Comfortable?
Are some rooms in your home too hot while others feel too cold? Or are you constantly adjusting the thermostat to keep your living space comfortable? If it isn’t the vents, then these are signs your furnace no longer distributes the air properly.
- Is the Burner Flame Blue or Yellow?
A blue flame is normal. A yellow, flickering flame is a possible sign that your furnace is creating poisonous carbon monoxide. Other signs include streaks of soot around the unit, excessive rusting on pipes or connections, and small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney, vent, or flue pipe. You might also get frequent headaches, feel nausea, get a burning in the nose or eyes, or suffer other flu-like symptoms without explanation. If you notice these signs crack the windows, ventilate the furnace room, and call a gas service technician right away.
If you are tired of constant furnace repair in Cupertino, CA and want to invest in getting a new one, call Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning. We can get you a fair price on the best products. And your new unit will be installed with professionalism and thoroughness. Contact us today at (408) 978-7060. Or if you still have questions about your old furnace stop by 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112.