What are the warning signs of a failing furnace?

It is rare for a furnace to break down suddenly, as most furnaces usually give warning signs for weeks or months prior to breaking down. The warning signs could be any of the following: strange noises, a decrease in the strength of airflow, or a gradual increase in the gas bills. Homeowners who recognize these warning signs and arrange furnace service in Vancouver before anything major happens are far more likely to avoid a sudden breakdown on the coldest day of the year. 

Observe everything that is visible and strange about your furnace. Strange noises could mean a worn-out blower motor, while constant turning on and off of the furnace means clogged filters or bad sensors. Cooler rooms compared to other rooms mean that your ducts could be blocked. If the flame produced by your furnace turns yellow or flickers, it indicates incomplete combustion of fuel. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, leave the house immediately and contact the emergency services.

Some maintenance procedures pose no harm to homeowners. Changing the air filter a couple of times during the winter season, cleaning the area around the unit, and leaving the vents and returns uncovered will improve the flow of air. All procedures that include working with gas connections, burners, venting, or any control inside the unit fall into a different category. In British Columbia, work on gas appliances is generally reserved for licensed gas contractors, so opening up the combustion system yourself is both risky and rarely allowed. 

The procedure undertaken by professionals is more detailed compared to the inspection done by the homeowner. The technician usually examines the heat exchanger, cleans the burners, checks the ignition and the flame sensors, tests the thermostat, and inspects the venting as well as the efficiency of the combustion process.

Efficiency is important to know as well. Furnaces are assigned ratings according to annual fuel utilization efficiency, abbreviated AFUE, which determines what percent of the fuel is converted into useful heat. According to Natural Resources Canada, ENERGY STAR certified gas furnaces use about six percent less energy on average than standard models, while the current regulations for Canada require new residential gas furnaces to have a minimum AFUE of 95 percent. Obviously, a conventional furnace does not have such a high efficiency rate, so this is one more argument why age should be Obviously, a conventional furnace does not have such a high efficiency rate, so this is one more argument why age should be considered. Most gas furnaces have a fifteen- to twenty-year lifespan.

If a conventional furnace requires many repairs, it makes sense to compare the costs of another repair to those of the replacement. As Natural Resources Canada suggests, you should receive at least three estimates, each including a calculation of heat requirements for your house, so that you buy a furnace suitable to the house size. Remember to check whether the installation involves the gas permit, and to find out the contractor's license number.

Regular furnace service in Vancouver is ultimately about predictability. A yearly check often costs less than an emergency repair, helps keep the system safe, and gives you an honest picture of how much life remains. Treat it as routine home maintenance, much like servicing a car, and your furnace is more likely to stay reliable every winter. 

Josh Clark the author of this article. To know more about hot water tank replacement in Vancouver, please visit us website: www.progas.ca.