The last thing any homeowner wants to experience in the middle of a North Shore or Seacoast winter storm is furnace problems. The team at Kearney HVAC understands that a well-functioning heating system isn’t a luxury in New England, it’s a necessity. If you’ve experienced any of these problems with your furnace, boiler, or heat pump, give our team of heating experts a call to find a solution that will keep you cozy all winter long.
1. Your Vents Only Blow Cold Air
If your furnace or ducted heat pump is only blowing cold air from the vents, the first thing you should do is check your thermostat to make sure it’s set to HEAT or AUTO instead of FAN or ON. If all of your settings are correct, check your air filter if you haven’t recently and change it if there is a build-up of debris. After these steps, give the team at Kearney a call to identify the issue.
There could be many different reasons for your vents blowing cold air or other airflow problems, including:
- Low fuel levels
- Reversing valve issues (for heat pumps)
- Dirty outdoor units (heat pumps) or flame detector (furnaces)
- Clogged condensate lines
2. You Heating Bills Keep Going Up
An increase in your energy bills without a coinciding rise in your utility rates or consumption is a sign that your heating system is losing its efficiency. This could be due to your furnace aging, a lack of maintenance, or even your duct system. In any case, it should be inspected by a professional. The heating experts at Kearney can evaluate your heating system to find the source of your efficiency issues and make recommendations to help you save energy with a reliable solution.
3. Your Furnace Struggles to Keep Up With Demand
In the same way that a furnace loses its efficiency as it ages, it also loses its performance power. This could be why you may feel like you’re not as comfortable in your home as you used to be. Other signs that your furnace isn’t operating at peak performance could be that the system is constantly running or cold spots in certain areas of your home. If your heating system is having these problems and it’s relatively new, it could be improperly sized for your home and should be inspected.
4. Your Furnace Is Making New Sounds
While some noise is relatively normal for most furnaces (especially older models), you should always take note if your heating system starts making a noise it never has before. Pay close attention to when your system kicks on because that is the most likely time it will make certain “red flag” sounds. Banging, screeching, or clanking, should all be checked out with a furnace repair visit from Kearney.
5. Increased Need for Repairs
If your heating system has been having recurring issues, it’s most likely time for a replacement. In many cases, it turns out to be more cost-effective to get a newer, better performing model than to continue paying out of pocket for repairs. In general, if the cost of furnace or heat pump repair is half or more of the cost of a new system, we advise installing a new heating system.
Do You Need a Furnace Replacement?
It can be difficult to know when it’s time to replace your furnace with a newer model, and at Kearney, we recommend taking a few key points into consideration as you decide:
- Your comfort – If you can’t get comfortable in your own home, it might be time to get a replacement.
- Your utility costs – Energy rates are consistently on the rise in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and replacing your heating system with an energy-efficient upgrade could end up saving you in the long run.
- Your furnace’s age – Older furnaces and even heat pumps weren’t made to the same efficiency standards that we have today. If your heating system is having problems and it’s more than 10 years old, a new system could be the best option.
- Available incentives – There are many ways to make your furnace replacement more affordable with incentives. With federal tax credits covering up to 30% of the cost of an energy-efficient heating system and Mass Save® heat pump rebates up to $10,000, upgrading your old furnace has never been easier.
At Kearney HVAC, we want you to be comfortable through every season of the year, and whether you’re interested in natural gas, ductless heat pumps, or anything in between, we’re here for you. Our highly-trained team can help get to the root of your heating problems to get your comfort back. We even offer comprehensive service agreements to give you peace of mind with heating maintenance.
