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6 Simple Questions to See if It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace
Unfortunately, like all mechanical things, furnaces only last so long before they need to be replaced. The lifespan for the average furnace is roughly 12-15 years. Sure, you can keep limping along, but at some point, repair costs, inconvenience, or high energy bills are going to make you pull the trigger and replace your furnace. The problem is, it’s hard to tell exactly when that time is. The team at Getzschman put together this simple list of questions you can answer to give you a better idea of whether or not you can limp on through this winter, or it makes more sense to buy a new furnace. Answer the six questions and see where you stand. If you check off more than three, it’s time:
Decide the Fate of Your Furnace
- Is your home more than 12 years old? If it is, and you have not replaced your furnace yet, it’s likely your system is nearing the end of its lifespan. Most systems only operate efficiently for 12-15 years before they need to be replaced.
- Have you had to repair your system more than once over the last 5 years? Annual maintenance is fine, but if you’ve had more than one major repair to your furnace system in the past 5 years if could be a sign of trouble.
- Is your furnace warranty expired? Most furnace warranties only cover your system for 5-10 years. Once the warranty expires, repairs can become extremely expensive. At that point, you could be putting that money you’re spending on repairs toward a new, high efficiency furnace that will save you money on energy bills.
- Are your utility bills continuously increasing every year? Your furnace and air conditioning systems are the biggest consumers of energy in your home – they account for roughly 48% of your energy costs. As your system ages and becomes less efficient, it also can hike up your energy bills.
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- Does your furnace seem to run nonstop? Older systems become less efficient over time, which means they must work harder and longer to maintain the temperature that the thermostat demands. This results in higher utility bills.
- Does your home have hot spots and cold spots? Older systems weren’t necessarily designed to keep every room comfortable. Two-story homes are especially difficult to keep warm and cool. The upstairs stays warm in the summer and the downstairs is always chilly in the winter. Newer systems have technology available to even out the temperature in your home.
Did you reply yes to more than three questions? It’s time. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you’re without heat in the dead of winter. We recommend upgrading sooner rather than later both for comfort and for energy savings.