It’s no secret that a furnace won’t last forever. Upgrading a furnace before failure will ensure your home has plenty of warmth for the upcoming winter seasons, with fewer repair needs and fewer chances of a system breakdown. Still, you might wonder, “Should you replace a furnace before it breaks, and if so, when?”
Greenwood, Indiana’s trusted HVAC company, Complete Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing, is here to assist if you’re considering early furnace system replacement. Here, we explain the factors that can help you determine if it’s time to upgrade your heating system.
When To Repair a Furnace vs. Replacing It
Replacing a furnace preventatively might seem counterproductive if an HVAC technician can repair it. A heating system with one broken, damaged, or malfunctioning component may need a repair or replacement to ensure the entire furnace continues working. Still, you don’t want to waste time and money continuously repairing different furnace parts every few months when you could get a new heating system.
Should you replace a furnace before it breaks? If it will take more time, money, and energy to keep your furnace running smoothly, replacement would be a more suitable solution. A thorough HVAC inspection from a qualified professional could alert you to potential problems and inefficiencies that may warrant a simple repair over a unit replacement.
Why Consider Proactive Furnace Replacement?
Though a furnace inspection could shed light on your heating system’s current condition, you might not know when to contact an HVAC company. All heating systems and properties are different. Still, you can better gauge when you should contact a professional and possibly prepare yourself for a furnace replacement if you notice these problems with your heating system.
Loud, Unusual Noises
It’s reasonable to expect a furnace to generate a mild humming noise while working. A furnace that emits strange, loud noises likely has a problem. Yet, not all weird heating system sounds require a furnace replacement.
Sounds you might hear from a damaged or failing furnace include:
- Clicking: Clicking noises resembling the sound of a gas range igniting usually point to a damaged furnace ignitor or flame sensor. Standard furnace repair may be sufficient to rectify this problem.
- Popping: Temperature fluctuations inside the furnace could cause a popping sound. It might not be a cause for major concern, but a technician should inspect the unit to be safe.
- Rattling: Loose components or ductwork could cause a rattling. Depending on the cause and extent of the sound, it might be time to replace the furnace.
- Booming: A loud boom could indicate a severe gas emission problem, like a delay with the ignition process. If the sound accompanies a gassy odor, you almost certainly need a furnace replacement to safely heat your home without the risk of a gas leak or fire.
Age
Furnace age plays a major role in determining whether you should replace the system before it stops working. A well-maintained furnace could last up to 20 years, yet 10 to 15 years is more typical. The closer the system gets to its fifteenth year, the more likely it will need more frequent repairs and experience a performance decline.
It’s best to consider replacing a furnace once it reaches its tenth year. By paying closer attention to the system’s performance, your comfort, and the home’s energy expenses around this time, you can better gauge when your system may be old enough to justify a replacement before a breakdown.
Noticeable and Sudden Energy Bill Increases
Once a furnace reaches its peak lifespan, it becomes harder for it to achieve and maintain temperatures. It will consume more energy to deliver the desired output, resulting in higher-than-expected energy bills. However, sudden spikes in energy usage without a known cause may indicate a serious problem with the furnace, causing a premature performance decline.
Even if your furnace generates and disperses heat, it will create a problem for your monthly utility budget if the system is inefficient. Heating repairs may bring temporary relief, but equipment replacement may be best if you want to prioritize performance and energy efficiency.
Frequent Repairs
The cost of furnace repairs can quickly add up. The general rule concerning furnace replacement over repair is that replacing the system is the better option if the cost of repairs is more than half the cost of installing a new furnace.
Consider this formula to calculate whether it makes financial sense to get a new furnace: furnace age multiplied by the repair cost. If the answer is under 5,000, repairing your furnace may be reasonable in terms of price.
Contact an HVAC company to replace your heating system if your calculations exceed 5,000. The replacement cost may be more than the repair, but you likely won’t need to pay for furnace repair too soon if you get a new, energy-efficient unit.
Uneven Heating
A good indicator of a failing furnace is uneven heating. The temperature changes could stem from several problems, including air duct leaks or airflow restrictions between the furnace and its vents. Drafty windows and doors can also make certain rooms feel colder than others, so uneven indoor temperatures aren’t always the furnace’s fault.
An inspection from a qualified HVAC technician can pinpoint the exact cause of the uneven temperatures if the furnace is at fault. Problems like a dirty air filter restricting airflow are simple to solve. However, the technician may recommend a furnace replacement if the uneven heating comes from an incorrectly sized furnace.
Get Furnace Replacement Preemptively With Our Professional Help
Should you replace a furnace before it breaks? If the advantages of pre-breakdown furnace replacement outweigh the benefits of keeping your current heating system, contact our Complete Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing crew.
Our company has over 20 years of experience meeting customers’ heating and cooling needs in Greenwood, Indiana. We prioritize our customers’ comfort and safety. Our crew offers 24/7 HVAC repairs, comprehensive system maintenance plans, and great financing options.
We know the average lifespan of a furnace and will expertly replace any outdated model. Call (317) 550-0063 for an appointment with Complete Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing.