Furnaces don’t last forever, and it is important to recognize when the time has come for a replacement system to be installed. Doing this will save money in the form of avoidable repair bills and higher energy costs in the long run.
If your energy bills have seen an unexpected spike, it may be time for an upgrade in the form of a replacement furnace.
1. Your furnace is more than 15 years old
Furnaces typically last about 15 years before it may be necessary to consider replacing it. If your furnace is getting close to this mark, now might be a good time for replacement considerations.
Furnaces tend to require more repairs during their later years of life. If you have noticed an increase in repairs made over the last year, it would be advisable to assess all of the associated repair costs and determine whether investing that money toward purchasing a new furnace might make more sense.
An older furnace tends to lose efficiency over time and increase energy bills; replacing it is often cheaper and simpler compared to dealing with such bills directly.
Similarly, if your home’s humidity levels are too low or you notice excessive dust, soot, or rust around its registers it may be time for a furnace replacement. Extreme dryness in your home can damage walls, furniture, and plants as well as cause throat, nose, and eye irritation as well as skin rashes for you and your family members.
2. Your energy bills are rising
As furnaces get older, their energy efficiency declines over time due to regular wear and tear. This causes your furnace to have to work overtime in order to heat your home, increasing energy costs accordingly.
If you notice that they’re starting to increase significantly, perhaps now is a good time to consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient furnace model.
If your bills keep increasing year after year, it could be worth replacing your furnace with an energy-efficient model.
A properly functioning furnace should keep your entire house warm throughout winter. If you’re having difficulty keeping warm or finding that you need to set your thermostat higher than usual, this could be a telltale sign that it needs repair or replacement. Seeking advice from local professionals like the ones at Mitch Craig Heating & Cooling prior to it breaking completely could save both time and money in emergency repairs during freezing temperatures.
3. Your furnace is making strange noises
Homeowners have come to appreciate the comforting hum of their furnace. While it’s normal for your system to produce some noise during its heating cycle, sudden or strange sounds could indicate an underlying issue with your heating system. Below are some common furnace noises that indicate it might be time for a replacement.
Banging and popping sounds can be both annoying and an indicator of serious problems, typically caused by ductwork problems but also often signaling your furnace is nearing failure.
Left untreated, these noises may eventually result in cracking heat exchangers which is both hazardous and costly to repair. You can visit this site to learn more.
A loud humming or buzzing noise may also signal that it’s time for an upgrade, particularly during start-up or operation. While a dull hum is typically considered acceptable, loud buzzing or humming may indicate issues with your blower fan motor that need attention.
Rattling sounds are a telltale sign that rodents have entered your home and are doing damage, whether that means chewing on wires or nesting inside vents. As soon as possible, contact a professional so the issue can be dealt with effectively and swiftly.
4. Your furnace isn’t heating evenly
If some rooms of your home seem colder than others, this could be a telltale sign that your furnace is failing to distribute warm air evenly throughout. This could be caused by blocked or closed vents, dirty filters or weak blower motors – or any combination thereof.
Your heating system could also be improperly sized for your home’s ductwork, forcing it to work harder than necessary and shortening its lifespan. In this instance, switching out for an ENERGY STAR model might save money and help extend its lifespan. You can click the link: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/energy-starr to learn more about Energy Star.
Your thermostat may also display a low battery indicator, which should serve as a prompt to replace either its batteries or even its entire unit. An ENERGY STAR-certified model should help save significant energy, so the cost of replacement should quickly recouped through savings on energy bills alone.
If any of the warning signs listed above apply to you, now may be an excellent time to purchase a new furnace. Modern models are designed with unprecedented efficiency in mind and will save money over time; moreover, opting for an ENERGY STAR-certified model could even allow you to take advantage of tax credits that help defray initial investments more than expected.
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