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4 Signs Your Furnace Needs Repairs or Replacement
websitebuilder • May 6, 2019
Your furnace is designed to last for years, but regular wear and tear and poor maintenance can cause it to become less effective overtime. In some cases, a good repair can go a long way, but if your furnace is getting older, it may need a total replacement. Check out these four signs your furnace may need repairs or replacement.
Keep an ear out for unusual sounds, and call a professional as soon as possible if your furnace needs attention.
1. You Can't Get Warm Enough
If you turn on your furnace, but the temperature never seems to reach a comfortable level, there may be a few things wrong. Ideally, the cause is your thermostat. Thermostats can malfunction because of blown fuses, loose wiring, etc. If this is the case, and your furnace isn't too old, you may simply be able to replace the thermostat.
The problem may be deeper, however. If you can't get warm because the furnace doesn’t blow enough air through the vents, the fans, belts, or motor could have a problem.
In addition, the system may actually start blowing cold air, which can indicate a problem with the pilot light or thermocouple. Depending on the extent of damage and the age your system, you may be able to have it repaired.
2. The Indoor Air Quality is Bad
Many furnaces don't just heat your air, they also improve the quality of the indoor air. But as they age and get worn down, they become less and less effective. In fact, they may start pushing unhealthy debris or gases into your breathing space. If the filter or ducts haven't been cleaned, the system can push dust and allergens into the breathing air, which can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs.
When your furnace starts breaking down, it also doesn't do a good job of humidifying the air, so the air may become dry, which can worsen allergies and breathing problems.
Most importantly, a worn-down furnace could start emitting gas or carbon monoxide. You may smell the gas because of the additives, but you can't smell or see carbon monoxide.
3. You Hear Strange Sounds
If you suspect a problem with your furnace, take a listen to it. Furnaces can be loud, but the noises should be familiar and consistent. The following are some abnormal noises you may need to worry about:
- Banging or booming. This is often caused by a dirty burner. This happens because the dirty burner delays the ignition, which allows excess gas to build. When the ignition finally happens, the excess gas explodes.
- Metal scraping against metal. This can also indicate something is wrong, and it usually indicates something has become loose, such as the blower fan.
- High-pitched squealing. This sound can mean there may be damage to the blower belts, or something may need to be lubricated.
- Rattling. This sound isn't always a cause for concern because it can often be a loose screw, but it may also indicate damage to the heat exchanger.
4. The Burner Flame Is the Wrong Color
If you look at the flame inside your furnace, it should be blue. Blue flames are hotter than yellow flames, so if you see yellow flames instead, contact a HVAC technician immediately. A yellow flame usually indicates that the combustion is incomplete. This doesn't just affect the warmth inside your home; it can put you and your family in danger.
When combustion is incomplete, it can often be caused by leaking gas or leaking carbon monoxide. It's always best to have a carbon monoxide tester near the furnace, but if you don't, you may spot some signs of carbon monoxide, such as streaks of soot around the furnace.
If your furnace has shown any of these signs, contact a technician. For more information about repairs and replacement, contact us at I.C.E. Heating & Cooling, L.L.C., today.
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Fredericksburg, VA, and the surrounding area can get hot and humid in the summer. In order to stay comfortable in your home during the hottest and most humid months of the year, you might need to run your air conditioner all day and night. Since much warmer temperatures are right around the corner, you need to make sure your air conditioner runs at optimum capacity. If the AC does not work properly, this could be due to a number of reasons. Some problems will require air conditioning repair, but other situations may call for a complete replacement. Knowing when to either make repairs to your air conditioner or replace it is often a difficult decision. To help you with this, here are five things you should know about AC replacement. 1. Know How Long Air Conditioners Last One of the first things to figure out is how long you have had your air conditioner. If your AC unit is older, a replacement is likely necessary. Most air conditioners last between 10 and 15 years . Not only do older air conditioners require frequent repairs, but also they are not as energy-efficient, which are the main reasons to replace your old one. Another reason to replace it sooner rather than later is that not having reliable AC in the hot and humid weather could be detrimental to your health. 2. Know the Signs for AC Replacement Besides knowing how old your air conditioner is, other telltale signs that AC replacement might be near include: It makes strange sounds. It does not blow out cold air right away or any air at all. It blows out foul-smelling air or has a burning smell. If you notice leakage around your unit, the refrigerant likely has a leak. Refrigerant contains Freon, which is considered a toxic substance. Exposure to refrigerant can cause health issues, such as respiratory problems, dizziness, headaches, and even organ damage. 3. Know the Cost of AC Replacement Like most home appliances, air conditioners vary in cost, which usually depends on the brand, size, and type of unit. If you replace your central air conditioning system, the price could cost anywhere between $3,350 and $5,912. The national average is $4,631. If you simply replace your window unit, the price could be as little as $234. A brand-new ductless mini split air conditioner ranges in price from $660 to $4,500. 4. Know How a New AC Unit Can Help You Save Money Even though you may have to pay a lot of money upfront when you replace your air conditioner, a new one will save you money in the long run. This is especially true if you get a new air conditioner with a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating than the one you currently have. Depending on the SEER rating of your old air conditioner compared the new one, you have a huge potential to use less electricity and reduce your energy bill. In some instances, new energy-efficient air conditioners can save you up to $300 a year on energy costs. To save the most amount of money possible, make sure you get the right size air conditioner for your home. Additionally, if you install a new central air conditioner, a programmable thermostat can also help you save money. 5. Know Who to Contact about AC Replacement If you need to replace your air conditioner, call the professionals at I.C.E. Heating & Cooling, L.L.C. Along with air conditioning repair, our HVAC company can help you with all of your air conditioning needs, including installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. We are also always happy to answer your questions about your AC needs as well.
