Inefficient furnace warning signs may not be something you are familiar with. As the temperatures begin to decrease, it is important to ensure your furnace is running properly to keep your home warm and comfortable. At the same time, you will want to save on your heating bills and for that you will need a heating system that operates efficiently. If your home has an old furnace, then it might not be as efficient as it once was. In general, a furnace generally lasts between 15 – 25 years if regularly maintained. In recent years advances in heating technologies have developed newer furnace models that are more highly efficient. In this article we discuss signs that your furnace is inefficient and requires a repair or replacement.
High Utility Bills
An inefficient furnace uses a lot of energy because it will not burn fuel effectively to keep your home warm leading to higher bills. Routine maintenance and filter changes will help your furnace run more efficiently. However, if you notice your bills are consistently increasing even though there is no increase in usage it is a sign that most likely there is something wrong with your furnace. Contact a professional HVAC company to check your heating system.
Heating Takes Longer
One sure sign that your furnace is not working efficiently is if your furnace takes too long to warm up your home. Worse if when you turn your furnace on cold air comes out. Hot and cold spots in your home are also a sign of system inefficiency. There could be several reasons for these issues but if you notice your furnace continuously running without your home warming up, please turn it off and call for furnace repair. This can lead to costly utility bills if your system is not running properly.
Low AFUE Rating
Older furnaces may have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of around 60-80%, which means they waste 20% to 40% of the energy on the flue gases. Mid-efficiency systems have rating of 80%-83% AFUE, high efficiency heating systems have AFUE of 90%-98.5%. If you currently have a furnace with a low AFUE rating contact us for furnace replacement.
More Frequent Repairs
If you find yourself frequently calling for heating repairs, you have an inefficient system that can no longer work at its most optimal level. The more frequent the repairs the more strain the system has endured most usually the case where the furnace is more than 20 years old. If this is the case with your furnace you should highly consider replacing the furnace soon.
Orange Flames
A furnace that is working efficiently will have blue flames. Orange or red flames means your heating system is not converting all the fuel into heat and is wasting much of it. If you see flames of any other color, contact an HVAC professional to check your furnace.
Weird Odors or Strange Noises
Do not ignore any strange furnace odors or noises. A burning odor could signify damaged internal components. A heating system should operate relatively quietly. Any new or strange sounds could indicate damaged components as well. Call an HVAC company to check your furnace and determine whether it needs a repair or replacement.
Lack of Maintenance
If your furnace is consistently running with dirty, clogged air filters it could lead to many different issues not only with your furnace but your AC as well. Clogged air filter will restrict airflow and significantly reduce the effectiveness of your furnace, leading it to work overtime to produce same output. To prevent a clogged filter from causing potentially costly repairs, routinely check and replace your air filters as needed. At least once a year schedule for routine maintenance to ensure the system is ready to use and runs smoothly throughout the season.
Contact LA Construction, Heating and Air
Now that you have learned a few signs that indicate your furnace is inefficient, you should be able to more easily detect the warning signs. If you notice any signs indicating your furnace is inefficient it is important to contact a professional right away. For a professional opinion about furnace maintenance, furnace repair or furnace replacement give LA Construction, Heating and Air a call today. You can reach us at 818-341-3406 or contact us online. We are here to help you and make sure your system works this winter.
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