Signs to Start Planning for Furnace Replacement
Replacing a heater is a big financial decision that can shock homeowners who aren’t prepared. Unfortunately for homeowners, the signs that a heater is failing can be easy to miss until it is too late. Often, a heater will start strong at the beginning of the heating season only to fail, leaving the home and family unprotected from the cold. Taking the time to learn the early signs of heater failure can give owners the space to prepare and explore their options. Here are the top three signs that furnace replacement is needed soon.
Aging Unit or Frequent Repairs
The first sign that homeowners need to notice to determine if their heater is failing is the age of the unit. As the unit gets older, it will be more likely that catastrophic failures are about to occur, and at a certain point, it is a better idea to invest in heater replacement than expensive repairs. The common age at which homeowners should start considering heater replacement is 15 years. This is well beyond the warranty of most units, and while some sources say a unit should last 20 years, a 15-year-old unit should be seen as in its twilight years.
Along with old age, frequent repairs are a good sign of a failing heater. The more wear and tear a heater experiences, the more extensive the internal damage will be. After suffering a loss of efficiency and a few repairs, the system will show signs of failure. If a repair costs more than 10% of the cost of a new system and the current system is over 15 years old, most technicians will recommend heater replacement.
Increased Heating Bills
Heaters will naturally lose efficiency with each year in service. Upon installation, homeowners can choose a certain efficiency tier to predict their potential heating bills. The efficiency rating represents the best-case scenarios with routine maintenance only for the first few years. As the heater ages, the efficiency will drop, resulting in noticeably higher bills than when the unit was first installed. Good heater maintenance can delay the effects of lost efficiency, but nothing can replace it. The best option is a heater replacement with a higher-efficiency unit to lower monthly bills.
Uncomfortable Spaces
Local winters will expose every heater's weaknesses, especially those struggling to keep up. The worst case scenario is a heater that performs adequately in the milder cool months only to fail to heat the home when the mercury drops for winter.
If a home is uncomfortable despite a continually running heater, it might be time for a replacement. This may manifest as hot and cold spots or simply an insufficient temperature. Either way, calling a professional and getting their opinion is a good idea to stave off bad news in the coldest part of the season.
About Postma Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric
Postma Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric offers same-day service so customers don’t have to wait days to restore their HVAC or plumbing. Flat-rate pricing makes it easy to understand the cost of heater replacement. Call today for heater services in Chatham-Kent, ON.
