Five Signs Your Furnace Needs Replacement
A while back on our heating and air conditioning blog, we talked about furnace repair—and how to know when you need it. If you missed that entry, check it out here: “Signs Your Furnace Requires Repair.”
While we at Air Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. are proud to offer some of the best furnace repair services around, all furnaces have a finite lifespan, just like every machine. It benefits you as a homeowner to know when it’s time to say goodbye to your old heating system and welcome in the new, as sometimes repairing what’s past its viable working years can be more expensive in the long run!
Air Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. describes below when it may be time to give your current heating system the boot.
Your Furnace Has Aged
When it comes to HVAC systems, just because it runs doesn’t mean it runs well. This industry is constantly innovating and producing better products that heat your home more quickly and efficiently. We recommend that you consider modernizing your home a bit if your furnace is getting up there in years. Likely, too, is the prospect that the system now contains ailing parts that are beyond repair.
Every furnace contractor has an individual concept of an outdated system. Still, the general recommendation is that you do a complete overhaul every ten to fifteen years—though an upgrade at any time can do nothing but benefit you, both monetarily and comfort-wise.
Your Furnace Is Creating Large Amounts of Carbon Monoxide
You wouldn’t think that two little molecules bound together could cause so much trouble, but even the CDC attests to the deadliness of this invisible, odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can come from many sources within the home, one of which is your furnace. You’ll know this is an issue if you begin to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, of course—and if your furnace’s flame starts to burn yellow.
It’s common to need furnace replacement when your machine becomes dangerous, simply because fussing with repairs can sometimes just be too risky or the furnace damage is otherwise severe.
Your Furnace Is Rusty
Rust, just like on your car, is a progressive problem for furnaces, and it sometimes—though not always—comes with age. Regardless, a patch job can only do so much. Your furnace repairman will probably recommend a replacement before long.
Your Energy Bills Are Rising
Of course, there are plenty of reasons that the price you’re paying to heat your home is rising—one of which being the market itself, which isn’t exactly calm at this point. But if you’ve noticed an increase in how much energy you’re using over the years, that’s a much more solid indicator that it’s time to replace your furnace.
An old, inefficient model will use more energy to accomplish the same tasks as a newer one. For instance, According to ENERGY STAR, products they certify for Northern US use can be “up to 15 percent more energy efficient than baseline models and can save up to $85 a year in energy costs.”
Even if your furnace hasn’t yet hit its golden years, this industry is constantly advancing, and new machines that outperform their predecessors hit the market quite frequently. There’s no sense in doing a complete replacement every time you see something better—but if, per your HVAC contractor, there is a significant difference in performance, it might be time for a new machine.
Repairs Are Getting More Frequent and Expensive
In an ideal world, your appliance will do just fine with its regular checkups and the irregular furnace repair job. But if you find yourself calling for the emergency services we talk about in our blog more frequently than you feel you should, either something in your maintenance routine needs to change or you need a new furnace. As it ages, it will need more and more help to keep running—and eventually, paying for that help will become more costly than paying for a new machine entirely.
This could also be a maintenance issue, though; if you aren’t taking care of your furnace properly, you’re bound to run into some issues. To learn more about furnace care, check out our blogs that discuss fall maintenance, spring maintenance, and the importance of scheduling regular professional checkups.
Air Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.: Worry-Free Heating and Cooling
Since 2002, we’ve been proud to provide the Anoka area with top-notch furnace repair and service. Give us a call today at 763-753-6623.