As winter approaches in the Fayette & Coweta County area, you should be aware of signs that a furnace failure might be in your future. If you can plan ahead for your next furnace upgrade, the substantial investment will be easier to handle than if you have to make an emergency furnace replacement.

Knowing the signs of furnace failure can help you be prepared, and not leave you, literally, in the cold if your furnace breaks down. Here’s a few signs of impending furnace failure to watch for:

• Odd noises. Typically, you should only hear the sounds of your furnace blower. However, older furnaces begin to make popping, banging or rattling noises as components wear out, so if your furnace is unusually noisy, it may be trying to tell you something.
• Cold air. A furnace’s sole purpose is to heat your home. If cold air is coming out of your vents, or if you have rooms that never completely warm up, there’s likely a problem.
• Age. Most furnaces last between 15 and 20 years. If your furnace is reaching the 15-year mark or is past it, it’s time to start thinking about a replacement. Advances in energy efficiency make newer furnaces a wise investment even if your old furnace still has a bit of life in it. You likely can recoup some or all of your new furnace’s purchase price, over time, thanks to the money that you’ll save on your utility bills, due to increased efficiency.
• A yellow burner flame. Gas-powered flames burn blue if they are burning properly. A yellow burner flame can indicate a problem, such as a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can make you ill and even be deadly.
• Repeated or expensive repairs. If you have had to repair your furnace more than once in the past couple of years, or if you’re looking at repairs that are at least half the cost of a new furnace, buying a new, higher efficiency furnace may be more cost-effective. This is especially true if your furnace is no longer under warranty.

For more information about how to deal with a furnace failure or any other HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) matters, contact Powers Heat & Air. We’re proud to serve residential and commercial customers in Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Tyrone, Senoia, Newnan, Sharpsburg and surrounding areas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree, GA and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace failure and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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