It’s the winter, and you wake to a cold day, put the heating on, and start preparing your coffee.
But you can’t shift that chilly edge to the air. Did somebody leave a window open? Perhaps you are simply one of those people who have a low body temperature. Maybe you are picking a virus.
Or perhaps it’s something else. If the thermostat says the heat is on, but the furnace is not running, it’s time to examine your heating system. Here are five warning signs that you may need to replace it.
1. Strange Noises
You may have noticed unusual sounds from your heating system. If so, it warrants further investigation. These noises won’t be a low or steady hum that is often a normal part of some heating units.
These sounds, like whistling, rattling, or banging, will be more noticeable. A banging sound could indicate a problem with parts like a motor that’s not functioning correctly.
That often needs urgent attention if the engine has a more severe breakdown. A high-pitched whistle-like sound could indicate problems with the airflow. It could mean you have a problem with the ducts or filters.
Rattling sounds could mean you have loose or broken parts in the heating system.
Noises may appear suddenly and be constant, or they may be intermittent. If you have recently moved in and aren’t sure whether the noise is unusual, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Noise is a warning sign that you must book an engineer to inspect it. Doing so will help prevent a more severe breakdown that could be more costly or demand a complete heating replacement.
2. Uneven Room Temperature
Do you find that your indoor heat temperature is inconsistent? Perhaps you feel that some parts of your home feel warmer than others. These are both signs of a problem causing uneven heating in your home.
It’s a frustrating problem and may leave you feeling like you are spending money on energy bills without the benefit of a warm house.
However, the problem could be worse if not addressed because it’s a sign of an underlying problem with your heater. If the problem is severe, it could mean your heater is nearing its end of life and needs replacing.
The issue with cool spots in your home is that your heating system isn’t able to distribute the heat. There could be several causes, including a problem with the ducts, the motors, or a furnace issue.
You could have a heater that isn’t correctly sized for your home. For example, perhaps you have invested in a major home extension after you installed your heating.
In all these situations, the first thing to do is call a maintenance engineer to investigate the problem.
Once you have a diagnosis, you can address the issue. Though the fix may incur an expense, it is better in the long run as you will be more energy efficient, and your heating costs will reflect that.
3. You Notice Rising Energy Bills
Many homeowners have seen a rise in energy bills because of higher wholesale prices.
But if you have noticed a more unusual trend or your energy bills are significantly higher than they used to be, the cause might be something different.
It may be a problem with your heater. That is a more noticeable problem in the winter, but it’s an issue that can crop up throughout the year.
Higher bills happen because your heater isn’t working efficiently. It can happen with an aging system.
It can also be due to an air filter that needs cleaning. In the latter situation, this is an easy and cheap resolution and can save you lots of money in the long run.
However, the only way to discover the root cause of expensive bills is to get an engineer to examine your system.
They can check for broken parts or issues with airflow and get it working correctly for you or replace the entire system. The sooner you get an inspection, the better, as it will reduce your utility expenses.
4. Ongoing Repairs
It can be a source of frustration to face a repeatedly broken heater. If your heating engineer is one of your phone’s most frequently used contacts, it might be time to consider a heating replacement.
Frequent breakdowns often mean that repairs aren’t standing the test of time. It’s a sure sign that the system is coming to the end of its life.
It could be that the system is old and replacement parts are hard to come by, or it could mean that the wear and tear is too much. In either situation, get an engineer to do a full inspection and decide whether it needs replacing.
It’s worth thinking about the cost versus benefits of this. Constant repairs can become expensive and it’s also inconvenient.
So buying a replacement – especially one that uses energy more efficiently – could be far more cost-effective.
5. Your Heating System is Old
One of the easiest ways to determine if you need to replace your heating system is to check the age. Since heating is constantly in use, every heating system has a life span, and few surpass it.
When you have a home with an old system, it becomes less efficient, and the repairs become more frequent and expensive.
If you often repair a heating system that is over 15 years old, it may not be worth continuing. Modern heating systems are cheaper and more efficient and will do a better job of heating your home.
So it’s often worth the cost of making that replacement. You can consider it an investment in your home, as a modern heating system will also help boost your property value.
The Thermostat Says the Heat is On, But the Furnace Is Not Running
Don’t wait until mid-winter to contemplate what you will do about a cold and unheated home. A proactive approach is the best way to handle a heating system that might break.
So, if the thermostat says the heat is on, but the furnace is not running, call our team at Tidwell and Sons HVAC in Dickson, Charlotte, and White Bluff, TN, and let us take a look at it for you.
