Furnaces are essential because they help keep your home comfortable and safe during the cold months. Because of this, having a functional unit and performing any repairs swiftly is essential.
With that said, not all furnaces are the same. Some may be older than others or simply not work as well, so in these cases you should avoid investing in costly repairs and skip directly to the next step: getting a new unit for your home.
Still not sure when it’s time to stop investing in repairs and instead replace your unit? Here’s what you need to know.
Signs You Should Stop Frequent Furnace Repairs
Deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace can be a challenging task, but recognizing the warning signs can save you time, money, and energy.
Here are 5 signs your furnace needs to be replaced.
1. Age
Regardless of the make, model, and year of manufacture, all furnaces have a usable lifespan. Furnaces can last between 16-20 years, assuming you’ve kept up a good maintenance and repair schedule. So, if your furnace is getting up there in years, it is a good idea to start researching new units.
2. Operating Noise
It’s possible that your furnace makes noises that reflect its state. For example, if you notice any popping, rattling, screeching, humming, or popping, it may be a sign you need to get your furnace replaced.
3. Performance
Does your furnace struggle to heat your home? Are the temperature fluctuations frequent and noticeable? Both of these may be signs that your furnace is reaching the end of its lifespan. If you have your furnace working the same amount or more time than usual and your house is still chilly, it’s worth speaking to a furnace replacement company about your options. .
4. Soot
It’s unpleasant to find soot around your home, but it may actually be a warning sign that your furnace is producing excess carbon dioxide. This can be accompanied by dry air that damages wood, so if you find soot close to the register of your furnace it may be time to call a professional.
5. High Energy Bills
Furnaces with more than a 90% efficiency rating are regarded as excellent. However, furnaces that are nearing the end of their usable life will generate higher energy bills, so you should consider upgrading your unit if this is the case.
What’s An Energy Efficiency Rating?
Your furnace’s energy efficiency rating measures how well it converts fuel, whether that’s oil or gas, into heat without wastage. For most furnaces this is measured in Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which represents the percentage of energy transformed into heat.
While your furnace may have had a great AFUE when you bought it, there are certainly more efficient models on the market today. The savings you can experience from switching to a new furnace may just be enough to justify the replacement on its own.
Not only this, but your furnace’s AFUE may have gone down since you first purchased it. If you think that this may be the case, it’s important that you get your furnace inspected and fixed today.
Find Your Furnace’s Rating
Remember, while modern furnaces may have AFUE ratings of 90% or more, a couple of decades ago the best furnaces came in at80%. Therefore, if your furnace was installed more than 20 years ago, you should look to replace it even if it works well.
As with most larger appliances, your furnace’s AFUE rating can be found either directly on the unit where the labels are located. If not, you can always find the AFUE label in the product manual.
In case you don’t have access to the manual, you can always use the model number to research online to figure out how soon you need to replace it.
How Energy Ratings Impact Your Home
The energy rating of the large, older appliances in your home has a huge influence on your heating costs and comfort, including your furnace. If you get a new furnace with a high AFUE rating, your furnace will use less fuel to warm your home and keep your energy bills low.
Determining if you need a new furnace or not is not a luxury – heating is a basic need, so you should always try to get a furnace that creates a comfortable environment at home without costing you a small fortune.
Stop Frequent Furnace Repairs and Get Yours Inspected Today
Heating units can last for more than a decade, but once you start approaching the 15-year mark you may start noticing more frequent furnace repairs.
At this stage, it’s important to evaluate the state of your unit and determine whether or not it’s worth investing in additional repairs or if your best bet is to get a new furnace altogether.
It’s also important to note that newer furnaces come with a better energy efficiency rating. This can not only lower your bills, but also improve the performance and durability of the other HVAC components in your home.
Wondering if your furnace needs a repair or to be replaced entirely? Contact Paragon to get professional assistance today.