Furnaces rarely fail without warning. Most give signs for a season or two first. Here's what to watch for.
Its age
A gas furnace commonly lasts 15 to 20 years, sometimes longer with good care. Past that, a big repair is often money spent on a system that's still near the end.
Its repair history
One repair in ten years is normal. Repairs every season, or one large repair on an old furnace, are a sign to price a replacement before deciding.
Signs to notice
- Some rooms never warm up, or the house takes much longer to heat
- Gas bills climbing without a change in how you use it
- New noises: banging, rattling, squealing
- The furnace turning on and off more often
- A yellow flame, soot, or a carbon monoxide alarm: these need a technician right away
Replacing on your schedule
The worst time to buy a furnace is the night the old one stops. If yours is getting old, get a quote now, while you can compare options and look at rebates. Quotes on new and replacement equipment are free.
It may also be worth looking at a heat pump, which heats and cools in one system. See heat pump or gas furnace.
For a free quote on a new furnace, send us a message or call 805-965-6326.
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