Tell-Tale Signs You May Need a New Furnace or Heat Pump

Let us know if this sounds familiar: You’ve been having issues heating your home, but you can’t quite put your finger on the problem. Your thermostat is cranked up, but there is no heat and your home is still cold. You also noticed that your system has been running all day trying to heat your home and on top of that, your utility bills have skyrocketed!

That scenario may sound like a nightmare, but it is a common reality for many homeowners who are having problems with their furnace or heat pump. HVAC systems are complicated and it’s tough to know what your system needs from one moment to the next, but we are here to make things simple for you. As a homeowner it is important to know all the potential warning signs of a problematic system.

We have gathered our expert’s list of tell-tale signs you may need a new furnace or heat pump!

Note: A furnace and a heat pump may present different issues which means that warning signs are going to be a little different. For your convenience we’vee divided this blog into two segments: “Signs You May Need a New Furnace” and “Signs You May Need a New Heat Pump”.

Signs You May Need a New Furnace

A furnace that doesn’t turn on at all or a furnace that is constantly running, without heating your home, are two clear signs of furnace trouble. Without understanding the root of the problem, it can be difficult to determine what action you should take next. Here are some simple HVAC troubleshooting tips you can try on your own:

• Replace your air filter – This is simple and takes almost no time. If you can’t remember the last time your filter was replaced, then there’s a good chance that a dirty filter is contributing to your problem. We suggest replacing your filters every 30 to 60 days depending on your home. Factors such pet hair or dust can result in more frequent replacements.
• Look for air leaks – Air leaks are most commonly found around windows and doors. If you have any air leaks your home is not properly sealed. This is a sign you should consider upgrading to custom, energy efficient windows.
• Clean around your HVAC unit – It’s possible that you’re experiencing issues because your exterior HVAC unit is being blocked by debris. Clear the area around your HVAC unit and see if that helps at all.

The best way to know what your furnace really needs is to have one of our HVAC experts come out and perform a full diagnosis of your system. From there, we can provide you with the best options that fit your needs. But first, you should know when to call the pros.

Call our experts if you are experiencing one or more of the following issues:

• Your system is constantly running – An efficient, healthy system should not constantly run. Your furnace should heat your home to the desired temperature and then shut off until your home needs heat again.
• Your system turns on and off frequently – This indicates that your furnace can’t register the desired temperature.
• You’re home does not get warm, no matter how high you set your thermostat – This is a big red flag! If your thermostat is reading a warm temperature and you’re still cold, there’s a problem.
•  You are constantly needing to make repairs –  If something was just repaired and you’re experiencing issues again, it could be that your system is just too old or worn out to work properly.
•  Your furnace is 10+ years old – The average lifespan of a furnace is around 10-12 years old.
• Your energy bill is higher than normal – This time last year, how much was your energy bill? Does that number keep creeping up each month? If so, it’s time to upgrade to an energy efficient system.

Signs You Need a New Heat Pump

If you’ve supplemented your central heating system with a heat pump, you may be especially frustrated when it doesn’t work properly. Here are a few simple troubleshooting tips to test if your heat pump is working properly:

• Replace your heat pump’s filter – Your heat pump has its own filter that needs to be replaced regularly. If you haven’t touched your heat pump’s filter, this could be the part of your problem.
• Open your  supply air registers – If your supply air  registers are closed, then you’re not getting the air flow you could be.
• Clean around your heat pump – Your heat pump can suffer from debris blockages that disrupt air flow. Clean the area around your heat pump to restore air flue.

Just like a furnace, the best way to determine what is really going on with your heat pump is to have our HVAC professionals come out and diagnose the problem.  

Call our experts if you are experiencing one or more of the following issues:

• The coils are frosting over – While a little frost can be normal, depending on the season,  frost can also indicate that your heat pump has a refrigerant leak or the coils are too dirty to absorb heat.
•  Your heat pump is making strange sounds – Your heat pump shouldn’t make noises. Grinding sounds can indicate that the gears in the motor aren’t lubricated enough and are scraping against one another.
• Your heat pump is cooling your home – While your heat pump can both heat and cool your home, you want it to be able to heat your home when needed. If it is cooling your home while trying to heat it up, you may have a reversing valve problem.

• It keeps short cycling – Your heat pump should automatically turn off when  your home reaches the desired temperature on your thermostat. However, if it keeps turning on and off, then it’s not registering when the desired temperature has been reached.
• Your heat pump needs frequent repairs – If you’ve had a professional come out to repair your heat pump more than once, it’s time to consider replacement options.

Call Bell Brothers

Whether you need your heat pump or furnace replaced, or any other repairs or maintenance services, call our professional HVAC specialists at Bell Brothers today! We know how frustrating HVAC trouble can be, but our experts will make it easy for you!

Here’s why you should choose Bell Brothers:

• Free In-Home Estimates
• Background-Checked, Drug-Tested Techs
• Home Delivery and Installation
• 30-Point Furnace Inspection and Tune-Up
• Upfront Pricing — we’re “The No Surprise Guys!”

Still have a few questions? No problem at all! Call our office to speak with one of our friendly customer service representatives. We’ll answer any questions you have about your furnace or heat pump.

Ready to schedule service? Call the office number or fill out this form. A skilled HVAC professional will be with you shortly.