4 Signs Your Furnace Needs to Be Replaced
It’s easy to leave the winter months behind, when the weather is warm, but if your furnace is old and possibly in need of replacement, now is the time to get it replaced.
Homes need high-efficiency, clean-burning, reliable heat sources to keep the residents healthy and warm all winter long. If your heating system is more than 20 years old, you might want to consider a replacement. See below for some of the signs you may be in need of a new furnace.
- Your Furnace is Making Strange Noises
When a furnace gets near the end of its life, it will start to make loud popping, squealing, banging and rattling noises. The blower will also give off a sound that makes it seem like it’s constantly running. It will also cycle on and off frequently, and blow cold air at times. Any unusual sound from the furnace is a cause for alarm, and definitely worth a call to an HVAC specialist.
- Parts Have to Be Replaced Often
Old furnaces often require a lot of maintenance. Oftentimes, you’ll find yourself replacing one major part one year and another part the following year. Replacing parts that are paramount to the furnace’s operation is a major sign that a new furnace is needed. Also, keep in mind that furnaces require the most repairs in the last two years of life.
So, if your furnace has had major parts replaced in the past two years, it might be time for a new system. The parts for old furnaces are not easy to come by, so you may even have to wait long periods of time, or never find certain parts, as well. Either way, waiting to have a furnace repaired in the middle of winter can be dangerous, not to mention frustrating!
- Your Energy Bills Keep Climbing
Higher energy bills are another sure sign that you’re in need of a new furnace. As they age, furnaces lose efficiency, especially if they don’t receive yearly maintenance. Lowered efficiency means that your furnace cycles on and off more frequently, takes longer to heat the home or doesn’t heat every room evenly, thus, using more energy to heat your home, leading to higher energy bills. Money spent on keeping up with these higher energy costs could go toward a new furnace installation.
- Your Furnace is Old
A furnace that is more than 20 years old definitely needs to be replaced. These heating systems typically last 15 to 20 years, but with good maintenance, some can last longer than this. However, just because a furnace still works doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe or cost-effective.
If your furnace is 20 years or older, or approaching this age, you should probably start shopping for a new one right along with a qualified HVAC specialist. At Gibbon Heating and Plumbing, we sell and install top quality Lennox furnaces, which are affordable and efficient options for a new furnace installation.