How to Know If It's Time for a New Furnace

Paying attention to some warning signs can help make sure your furnace gets replaced before it breaks down.

More than any other type of heating unit, furnaces require maintenance and repairs almost constantly. Most homeowners wait until there’s a big problem before they call in a professional. This makes maintenance difficult to keep up with. Regular inspections and tune-ups should be performed by a professional at least once a year. It’s the only way you’ll be able to ensure your furnace lasts as long as possible.

But even with frequent repairs, inspections, and tune-ups, your furnace will eventually need to be replaced. And you don’t want to be caught off-guard by a broken down furnace. Here are some of the things you can look out for to tell if it’s getting close to time to replace your furnace:

The Furnace’s Age

A perfectly maintained furnace will last about 20 to 30 years. Of course, that number varies based on the amount of care your furnace receives. You can easily see a furnace only last around 10 to 20 years. The safest thing to do is start to pay closer attention to your furnace once it’s around 10 years old.

Start paying closer attention to the trends in your energy costs and the behavior of your furnace. And, of course, it’s never a bad idea to have a professional furnace technician perform an inspection.

Rising Energy Costs

If you’re seeing a rise in your heating bills but you aren’t heating your home more than usual, you may have a problem with your furnace. It could be getting close to time to replace your furnace, or you may just need some maintenance. Furnaces lose efficiency as they age, and that can end up costing you a lot in energy bills. If you notice these trends, you should consider whether it’s time to replace your furnace.

Our furnace specialists can help you determine your best next move. Call us for an inspection if you’ve noticed higher energy costs. If we can fix the problem with repairs, we’ll get them done as quickly as possible. And if it is time for your replacement, we can help you through that process, and help keep it in your budget.

Other Clues

You should pay attention to your furnace and try to check in on it around once a week. If you notice a buildup of rust, soot, or dust, call a professional. These are signs that something is wrong with your furnace. Hopefully, it’s any easy-enough fix, but if you do need a replacement furnace, it’s better to find out sooner than later.

Any noises coming from your furnace can be a sign of significant clogging. If you notice any clicking or whirring, call our furnace technicians to come and have a look. And if you hear any louder noises, call us immediately. You may need a replacement furnace as soon as possible.