4 Warning Signs You Should Start The New Year With A New Furnace
With the new year, comes new year's resolutions. While these are mostly taken on in an effort to better ourselves, they can also sometimes be used to make our lives better and let go of certain things to help us move on. One of those things that you might find yourself holding on to when it would better be left behind is your home's old furnace, especially if it has been with you for a while now. It may have had a good run, but every furnace wears out eventually, and with the dawn of a new year, it might be the perfect time to look at finally getting it replaced. Your old furnace might even be giving you some of the warning signs that it's ready for you to let it go, and move on with your life. While individually, these signs might not make you feel like there's cause for replacing your old furnace, the more of them you are able to observe, the more likely it is that it is high time for you to say "out with the old, and in with the new." To help you with that decision, our team of skilled Waco HVAC contractors have put together this short list to help you better determine if a furnace replacement is right for you.
Your Furnace Is Older Than 15 Years
The average life expectancy of a gas furnace is 18 years, and this can vary to a certain degree based on how well it was maintained over that time and if it ever had any catastrophic breakdowns. Replacing your older furnace can not only save you a great deal of headache when it comes to having to pay for the frequent repairs an older furnace will require, but it will also help to make your home more energy efficient. This translates directly to more money in your pocket at the end of the month as you won't be forced to spend as much on your monthly energy bills.
You Heating Bill Has Increased Randomly
While there can be a number of different issues that contribute to this problem, if you have had your furnace professionally repaired and had you air ducts sealed properly, you should be seeing a dramatic increase in your energy bills. If you notice a sudden spike in your energy bill compared to the ones from even a couple months ago, it could be a sign that your furnace is on its last leg, as it will start to require more energy and fuel to perform its job like it used to.
You've Had Frequent Repairs Performed Over The Last Couple Years
If you've had to fork out money for more frequent repairs for your furnace over the last couple years, it could be a sign that you should start looking for a replacement. Furnaces incur most of their repair costs during the final couple years of their lives, and just like an older car, it doesn't take too many of these repairs before it is no longer a worthwhile investment to keep throwing money in the hopes that it will continue to work. It can be beneficial to add up the repair costs you've had to put in over the last two years or so and make a serious determination on whether or not you should put that money towards a replacement.
Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises
When you turn on your furnace, if you notice that it is making any strange noises, like rattling, banging, or popping, it could be an indicator that your furnace is about at the end of its life. In addition, if you notice that your blower is turning on and off frequently, or it is blowing cold air, it might be time to start replacement shopping. Hiring a heating professional to come out to your home and perform an inspection on your furnace can be a great way to figure out if your furnace could still last you for a few years, or if it would be better to go ahead and just cut ties with your old one.