When a furnace is about to outlive its use, it tends to exhibit certain signs; if you start noticing them, plan to replace it as soon as possible. It’ll give you more peace of mind, especially as colder weather makes its way to Ohio. To help your household avoid untimely equipment failures or expensive furnace repairs this winter, familiarize yourself with the following signs.

When Do You Need a New Furnace?

1. Physical Symptoms

Older furnaces can leak carbon monoxide, which is associated with many negative side effects. Leave your house immediately and call a professional to examine your furnace if members of your household feel ill, exhausted, or irritable at home but not anywhere else.

2. Yellow Flame

Furnace flames should always burn blue. If it ever appears yellow, it could indicate a gas leak and will require immediate attention. In this situation, put out any flames, open up the windows, shut off your gas, and schedule a furnace inspection as soon as possible.

3. Unexplainably High Energy Bills

If a furnace is more than a decade old, it’s not uncommon for you to have high energy bills, especially in the winter. If you’ve done your due diligence and committed to proper maintenance over the years, such as having your unit professionally cleaned and inspected annually, but your heating bills are still high, you may need a replacement.

4. Dryness & Static Shock

Old furnaces are notorious for drying out the air and causing frequent static shocks throughout a home. If you’re getting tired of the low humidity every winter, consider upgrading to a modern unit which has been designed to have less of an impact on the air’s water content.

5. Old Age

Furnaces over 20 years old should be replaced sooner rather than later. Some can last a few years longer than that, but, at that point, reliable performance is a gamble. Instead of risking it every winter in the hopes your furnace will make it all the way through without a breakdown, it’s wise to replace it preemptively.

If you need a new furnace and live in the Chillicothe, OH, area, make an inquiry with Lenox Heating & Cooling. They’re a family-owned and -operated heating and air conditioning company, which has provided dependable and honest service since 1988. For more information, please give them a call at (740) 702-2665.