When is it Time to Replace Your Furnace?

While Michigan hasn’t experienced typical fall weather yet, the colder months are quickly approaching. Soon enough you’ll be turning off that air conditioner and turning up the heat. It would be a rude awakening to realize your heat isn’t working properly on a very cold night. It’s important to check your furnace before the winter season starts. Here are some common warning signs that it might be time for a furnace upgrade.

YOUR FURNACE IS MORE THAN 15 YEARS OLD

While there are some furnaces that last longer, the average lifespan of a furnace is 15 years. Furnaces that are older than this also aren’t as energy efficient as newer models. Older furnaces are working harder and using more energy to produce heat in your home. It can also be potentially dangerous to let a furnace run longer than it’s meant to. An old furnace can have ventilation issues or an old pilot light that can lead to a fire. If your old furnace has a faulty heat exchanger, it could also create a carbon monoxide leak.

UNEVEN HEATING THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME

Even if your furnace doesn’t need to be replaced, this is still a telltale sign that there’s something wrong with your furnace or your home has inadequate insulation or ductwork. Your old furnace may be too small for your home size or it could be too big. One way to assess this issue is to get a home energy audit. The energy auditors will test the safety and efficiency of your HVAC system to get to the cause of your uneven heating problem. They can then recommend a course of action and a high-efficiency furnace that’s right for your home.

YOU’RE CONSTANTLY GETTING REPAIRS

Does it seem like you’re throwing money away into frequent furnace repairs? You might be spending just as much in repairs as it would cost for a new furnace. The older your furnace gets, the more issues it’s going to have. A sign that your furnace may be on its last leg is if you’ve been getting it repaired more often within the last two years. A furnace’s last two operable years are when it will need the most repairs. If you invest in a new energy-efficient furnace, you can save more money in the long run by not having to pay for constant repairs. It also gives you peace of mind to finally find a solution to your home’s comfort issues.

YOUR HOME HAS MORE DUST

If you notice excessive dust around the house, your furnace could be the issue. Older furnaces can struggle with filtering the air and keeping your home at a proper humidity level. You should first check your air filter and have a home performance contractor check the duct sealing throughout your home. While excessive dust can be bothersome, especially to those with allergies, dust accumulation from a faulty furnace can also be coupled with mold.

HIGH ENERGY BILLS

A furnace problem can make your energy bills skyrocket. Older furnaces lose their efficiency over time. You could also be running it longer to produce the same amount of heat that an energy efficient furnace would in a normal amount of time. This uses more energy and, in turn, raises your energy bills. The extra money you’re spending on your bills could be put toward investing in a new furnace. It’s important to have an energy efficient furnace to keep your home more comfortable and conserve energy.

CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL

The best way to get an answer to your heating problems is to contact a furnace professional. A professional has the experience and knowledge to know whether you need a new furnace. Ecotelligent Homes can perform a home energy audit to identify where you can make your home more energy efficient and improve your home’s heating.