Most people don’t replace their furnace until it stops working — which always seems to be in the middle of the night, on a weekend, during a severe cold snap.
It’s easy to put off replacing your heating system, because buying new HVAC equipment is so costly. But if you wait too long before taking action, you could find yourself wearing your winter gear and huddling around a space heater while you wait for your new furnace — the one you didn’t budget for — to be installed.
Look for these warning signs that it’s time to shop for a new furnace.
Your Furnace Is More than a Decade Old
The average useful life of a furnace is 15 to 20 years. But after just 10 years, you may see your energy bills creeping upward because the furnace as efficient as when it was new. As moving parts wear, they still work, but not as well as they once did.
Annual preventive checkups can help your furnace run better and last longer.
Schedule a furnace checkupYour Furnace Needs Frequent Repairs
Frequent furnace repairs are a sign that you should start getting estimates for a new furnace.
You’ll probably need more frequent furnace repairs as your heating system ages past 10 to 15 years. A combination of frequent repairs and older age is the classic warning sign that you need a new furnace.
Installing a new furnace gets rid of those frequent repairs that add to the operating cost of your furnace, and you’re likely to see lower energy bills because the new furnace will heat more efficiently.
Your Furnace Isn’t Keeping Your House Warm Anymore
When the furnace is over 10 years old and you notice that the furnace has to run longer to keep your house warm, it may be time to replace your furnace. Controls, switches, fans and heat exchanger parts begin wearing out after 10 years, so your furnace won’t heat efficiently. Instead of spending money on repairs and higher energy bills, think about replacing your furnace when it won’t keep your house comfortable in winter.
Your Furnace Makes Strange Noises
Squeaking, grinding, squealing, banging or rattling noises coming from your furnace aren’t normal. Your furnace is designed to run quietly and efficiently. Don’t ignore strange furnace noises just because the furnace continues to heat well. Noises typically get worse and eventually lead to a major failure that can leave you without heat.
Don’t ignore these classic warning signs that it’s time to install a new furnace in your home. Schedule a free appointment with a Sears HVAC expert to explore your options for installing a new heating system to keep your home comfortable all winter long.