A furnace may be the most expensive piece of heating equipment. Deciding when to replace is a significant decision for homeowners.
With the end of summer, also comes the time to turn on your heating system. However, before you commit to your furnace for another year, you should evaluate your options.
Newer furnaces are always being developed and they tend to operate with much higher efficiency than what’s in most homes today. An older furnace is also much more likely to break down, which can be expensive, inconvenient, and even dangerous (for you and your home) depending on the temperature.
How Do You Know When Your Furnace Needs To Be Replaced?
We’ve created a list of things to look out for when entering back into winter. Here are 6 signs that your furnace may need a replacement:
1. Your furnace is over 15 years old.
As your furnace approaches the end of its expected life, start planning your replacement. Once your unit has reached the age between 10-15 years of age, it’s always smart to start evaluating your options. Once it’s over 15 years of age, it’s time to start making decisions.
2. There are visible signs of rusting around your furnace.
If there’s rust visible on the outside of your furnace, it’s possible that there’s rust on the inside of your furnace. This means that your parts are starting to weaken and they likely need to be repaired soon. Furnace replacement can sometimes be a more viable option.
3. Your furnace is requiring more frequent repairs.
Repairs are one of the most expensive parts of owning an HVAC system. When the repairs start piling up, it’s often more realistic to replace the machine. The furnace issue could be major if the heating element goes out if will pump Carbon monoxide into your house.
If the furnace is broken due to a cracked heat exchanger, then it’s time to buy a new furnace. A crack in the heat exchanger is one of the top indicators that a furnace needs to be replaced. There is too significant a risk that carbon monoxide can seep into your house, and that’s a dangerous situation for you and your family.
4. Your energy bill is rising, despite the same amount of usage.
Your energy bill is always a good indicator. When your bill is rising with the same user that means the efficiency of your furnace is went out. This is more dependent on some of the other signs as well, specifically age. Otherwise, you may just need your system to be serviced.
Furnaces that deliver 80% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) or less efficiency are costing you real dollars in energy use. An increase in efficiency to 95% may easily pay for itself during the life of the new furnace.
5. Your furnace is a lot noisier than usual.
Old furnaces often start to make strange noises as they get toward the end of their life-span. Unusual noise can be another sign on how to tell if your furnace is dying. The rules from number four also apply to this.
6. The rooms in your home are not heating evenly.
If your system is not heating your home evenly there could be a variety of problems. Your system may either be starting to develop inefficiencies and not be able to perform to the same level it used to or it could just need service.
If your furnace was never able to heat your home evenly, it or your ductwork could be an improper size for your home and will never run efficiently.
These are merely signs to look out for when thinking about replacing your furnace.
What To Look For In A New Furnace?
There are several things to consider when shopping for a new furnace. We’ve got the complete guide when choosing the best furnace for your needs. Click here for more info: Furnace Buying Guide.
If you have any concerns regarding when should you replace your furnace, it’s best to speak to a professional. As always get 3 or more quotes, and always get a second opinion before spending big money on furnace replacement.
