Home comfort is expensive. We get it. Sometimes we think that if we squeeze as much out of our furnace as possible, we’ll be saving money in the long run. That could set you up for waking up on the coldest day of the year with a broken-down furnace.
So how do you know when it’s time to replace your furnace? In this article, we will cover a few questions to ask yourself to help you determine if it’s time to replace your furnace.
How Old is Your Furnace?
Of course, age is a huge factor when it comes to any appliance. When you first move into your home, if it was previously owned by someone else, you will need to find out how old your furnace is to keep in mind for the future. Your owner’s manual should have the manufacture date listed on it, but you might need to call the manufacturer with the unit’s model number or do a little Internet search yourself.
How Long Do Furnaces Last?
At a maximum, a current model can operate for 20 to 30 years, depending on the extent of use and how well maintained the unit is. If you discover that your furnace is more than 15 years old, it might be time to start considering furnace replacement options.
If your furnace is not a newer model that is Energy Star-qualified, that could mean that it’s using a lot more energy than you’d like to pay for. While majority of the Energy Star-qualified furnaces (gas and oil) tend to cost more in initial investment (typically 15 percent), they can save you an average of $66-94 a year, according to the U.S. Energy Star Program.
Other Factors to Help Decide if You Should Replace Your Furnace
So what are other factors to clue you in on the impending end to your current furnace? Here are some questions to ask yourself before starting to shop:
- Have you had to make frequent calls for repairs on your furnace?
- Have you seen your energy bill continuously going up, even though the usage is the same?
- Has your furnace become excessively noisy (e.g. does it rattle, buzz or hum)?
- Does it seem like the rooms in your house are being heated unevenly (some rooms are hotter/colder than others)?
- Has your furnace started putting out excessive dust, dirt, soot or rust particles?
- Is your burner flame yellow instead of blue?
- Does your house seem drier or dustier than usual?
- Do you see visible signs of rust in and around your furnace?
- Do any of the components of your furnace show cracks or corrosion?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to give Best Heating & Cooling a call and have our home comfort experts take a look at your furnace. If it’s time for a replacement, we can work with you to choose the right Coleman heating system that’s perfect for your family, pocketbook and your Salt Lake City area home.
Need furnace replacement in Utah County or the Salt Lake City area?
Call Best Heating & Cooling when you need furnace repair, service or replacement. Our skilled HVAC techs can determine if your heating system needs repair or replacement and can provide you with the knowledge you need to select the right heating system for your home.