Furnace Replacement in Middleton, NY

Lately we’ve been having some serious snow, and we’re at the point where everyone’s tired of it! But just because we want the winter to be over doesn’t mean we can just dismiss the need to take care of your furnace. At what point has your furnace simply had enough of the cold?

Furnaces typically have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. Beyond that point, you might experience efficiency problems and even safety concerns. But how can you tell when your furnace needs an upgrade?

A Matter of Safety: When and Why to Get Furnace Replacement

You may be relying on an older furnace, and as long as you’re getting annual maintenance and functioning properly that may be fine. However, if you start to notice any of the following signs, you’ll want to look into replacement soon.

• Loud Noises Coming from the Device
• Thermostat Readings that Don’t Match the Real Temperature
• Insufficient Heating
• Uneven Heating Between Rooms
• Higher Energy Bills 

All of the above are inconveniences, sure. You definitely don’t want to come home to freezing cold living areas and an annoyed family. But what’s even more important than having reliable heat is being safe. A broken down furnace is a safety risk for a host of reasons — most notably of all the carbon monoxide threat some older furnaces can pose. The experts at Jones want you to be safe, so we’ve put together this blog to warn homeowners in Middletown about the potential risks involve in owning and operating an older heating system device.

Carbon Monoxide and Your Furnace

Carbon monoxide (or CO) is a poisonous byproduct gas. It results from contaminated or incomplete combustion, which is a fairly common issue for old furnaces. If your furnace is creating carbon monoxide at dangerous levels, it might also be distributing it throughout the house via the ventilation. If your heat exchanger (the device in your furnace that transfers heat to circulating air) is cracked or otherwise malfunctioning, it may simply release CO into your basement or utility room.

Either way, carbon monoxide is a very serious threat. It’s known as the “silent killer” because it is completely odorless and tasteless, so it cannot be detected. Carbon monoxide causes hundreds of American deaths and injuries every year — but these dangers can be avoided! Just follow these steps:

• Check Your Pilot Light– This is the flame inside of your furnace from the fuel burning. When the pilot light is blue, you’re good to go. When it’s yellow or orange, even just at the edges, you may have an issue. Yellow flame means that the fire is somehow contaminated.
• Invest in a Wired CO Alarm– While battery operated alarms can stop working without notice, a wired alarm will always be operational so long as you have power in your home.
• Call in a Heating Professional– Here at Jones, we can help you be safe by performing a complete inspection and tune-up on your older furnace today. If you have a furnace older than 10 years, call us today!

Call Jones Services for heating system inspection and furnace replacement this winter!