Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?

When a furnace needs to be replaced, there will be a few tale-tell signs. If you ever discover any of these signs, there are two paths that you can take. The easiest path is usually the repair route. If repairs are not possible, the only path forward is a replacement. The act of replacing a furnace will take more time, but it’s worth the effort.

Getting Started: 5 Clues to Look Out For

As a homeowner, you should try to replace or repair your furnace before it has a chance to break down. To achieve this, stay alert, performance regular inspections, and look for these clues.

Clue #1: Age

On average, a typical furnace will heat a home effectively for up to 30 years. However, it always pays to be thorough, so refer to the maintenance section in the owner’s manual for your furnace for more accurate guidelines. If your unit has exceeded its life expectancy, it may be time to start hunting for a brand-new unit.

Clue #2: Odd Sounds

Gas furnaces are supposed to make noise when they operate. However, some sounds could also mean that a component or an entire furnace is about to break down. Here are the most common sounds that you should be aware of.

Odd Motor Blower Sounds

A defective motor blower will produce one of two sounds. The most noticeable sound is a thumping noise. It means that the motor is imbalanced. If a motor blower is in poor shape, the thumping will occur consistently. Otherwise, the sound will only generate when the furnace turns on and off.

The second sound to be aware of is grinding. If you hear it, the motor’s bearings have worn out or need lubrication.

Unusual Combustion Chamber Sounds

Rumbling and banging sounds are quite common. They do not necessarily mean that a furnace has a problem. In most cases, these noises mean that the fuel is continuing to burn in the combustion chamber. If the sounds are consistent, there could be an underlining issue, or the burner is not operating as it is intended.

Strange Compressor Sounds

When a compressor has a problem, it could make clicking sounds. If you hear these sounds, don’t panic. The unit probably has a loose bolt.

Other Sounds

If your furnace ever makes odd sounds while it’s off, it could have a severe problem that’s potentially dangerous. In this scenario, call a technician immediately.

Clue #3: Poor Air Quality

When a furnace heats a space, it produces carbon monoxide. Normally, this gas will escape out of a home after a furnace produces it.However, this will change as a furnace ages. Here is a reason why this occurs.

The air quality in a space is influenced by the presence of humidity in a home. If the humidity is too high, any contaminates that are present in the air will have no way to escape. The humidity will lock on to these contaminates. New furnaces can counteract this because they’re able to manage the humidity levels in a space very effectively. This is not the case for older furnaces. When a furnace ages, it loses its ability to manage humidity effectively. For this reason, if your air quality is poor, and you have an old furnace, it’s time to invest in a new unit.

Clue #4: Improper Heating Cycles

A furnace should not turn on consistently throughout the day or night. Heating inconsistencies mean that a unit’s efficiency is dropping. This can occur when the compressor and other vital components start to struggle. These inconsistences can also result from the cyclical effect, which is unavoidable. The cyclical effect puts wear and tear on vital components every time a furnace operates.

If this applies to your furnace, maintenance or repairs could be a viable option. However, it may be better to upgrade to a more efficient unit if your current furnace is over a decade old. Modern furnaces are more energy-efficient, comfortable, and reliable.

Clue #5: Rising Maintenance Costs

A furnace will require preventative maintenance once a year. If your unit consistently needs traditional maintenance, it’s probably time to buy a better unit. The best way to proceed will vary based on the age of the furnace and the problems that you’re experiencing. If a faulty thermostat is the reason why your home is not getting warming, a technician could replace or repair it. However, major technical issues are not always easy to resolve. For example, if your unit has a cracked heat exchanger, it may be cheaper to buy a brand-new furnace.