We’re getting close to the end of winter, which means it’s time to evaluate your heating system to see if it merits keeping for another season. It may seem an odd time to decide whether or not your furnace is ready for next winter. Consider, though, that if you’re not going to keep it for another season it’s a good idea to replace it now. That way you don’t have to worry about replacing it the week before you need to use it. The following are some of the most common indications that your furnace is nearing the end of its life, and should be replaced before next season starts.
High Operating Costs
You should always keep an eye on your monthly heating bills, as they can indicate when your system is developing some kind of problem. If your furnace starts to cost significantly more from month-to-month than it normally does, you should have a technician look at it right away. That kind of rapid rise in operating costs is often due to accumulated wear and tear on the furnace, causing it to lose efficiency and operate for longer to affect the same temperature changes. If your furnace is costing more to operate on a monthly basis simply because it’s worn out, the only real way to fix it is to replace the system.
Constant Repairs
It’s not unusual to need to repair your furnace every once in a while. Things happen, parts break, and even with preventive maintenance, you will likely have to deal with repair issues on occasion. However, you should consult with a technician about replacing the system if it needs to be repaired multiple times a year. As furnaces get older, the parts in them wear out and begin to fail. The closer a furnace gets to the end of its life, the more parts begin to fail. Once your furnace starts breaking down that often, it’s a good idea to replace it. Replacing the system one part at a time is only going to cost you more money in the long run, before you have to replace it.
Age
Assuming you take the best possible care of your furnace, you can expect it to last around 10-15 years. Once a furnace passes that age range, it will often start to develop a range of issues like those we’ve already covered above. The older a furnace gets, the more costly it’s going to be to keep it up and running. If your furnace is older than 15, we highly recommend that you talk to a professional about whether or not it’s worth it to replace your system right now. You might be able to get a couple more years of use out of it, or you might be better off just replacing it this year before it has a chance to break down on you.
Douglas Cooling & Heating provides comprehensive furnace installation and replacement services in Shelby County, AL. If you need a new furnace installed in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians.
