11 Stylish Ways to Enhance—or Hide—Your Radiators

During heating season, there’s never a convenient time for the furnace to give out, especially considering the discomfort—and the genuine hazards—of a home without heat. Making matters worse, according to David Kenyon, a product manager with Sears Home Services, ailing heating equipment exhibits a curious tendency to die “on one of the coldest days of the year,” Rather than court disaster by depending on a troubled appliance, Kenyon recommends taking a proactive approach. “Make life easier for yourself and plan for any furnace project well in advance, before the temperature plummets and the issue becomes critical.” The first step? Determine whether your furnace absolutely requires replacement or whether “a relatively inexpensive repair would keep it in service for at least another season,” Kenyon says. Of course, for the average homeowner—for someone who looks at the furnace as a source of not only heat, but mystery—it can be quite challenging to distinguish between a doomed-to-fail furnace and a temporarily handicapped one. That being the case, Kenyon recommends discussing your concerns with a qualified HVAC technician “sooner rather than later.” Until then, closely monitor the appliance, and keep an eye out for indications of poor performance. Click through now for a few red flags to look for!This content has been brought to you by Sears Home Services. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

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