Do You Need A New Furnace?

Perhaps your furnace isn’t exactly new. Maybe it’s not heating your home like it should. Or maybe it’s making noises night and day. But does that mean you need a new one? Deciding whether to repair or replace a furnace isn’t always easy. Replacing means a major expense that you might not be ready to make. When your seemingly sturdy furnace suddenly fails, it might not be in your budget to replace it right away. That said, in some situations getting a new furnace offers some benefits over scheduling repairs.

How do you know when it’s time to replace and not just repair your furnace? Take a look at some of the top signs that signal the need for a replacement.

High Furnace Age

If your furnace is only a few years old, chances are there’s no reason to replace it. But if your furnace has been around since you were in middle school, you may want to think twice. Some furnaces can last for two to three decades without the need for replacement. Keep in mind, that doesn’t mean your furnace will definitely last for at least 20 years. Furnaces over 15 years old and that repeatedly have problems are candidates for replacement.

Continual Repair Needs

Let’s say it’s the fifth time in the past month you’ve called the HVAC technician. What should you do? If your furnace has continual problems that keep coming back, or if new issues that creep up constantly, it’s probably time for a replacement.

There are only so many times you can fix a furnace before doing so starts to get costly. Even though a repair may be cheaper right now than a replacement would be, in the long run several repairs in a short period of time may come with a higher price tag than a new unit would.

It’s common to need a repair once in a while. But when the cost of repairs build up over time, consider a full replacement instead.

High Energy Bills

Older models of furnaces aren’t as efficient as newer ones. On top of that, a furnace that isn’t working properly uses even more energy. Whether your bills have been higher than you’d like for the past two years or you’ve suddenly seen a spike in costs, an inefficient furnace is a reason to consider a replacement.

Low-efficiency heating systems, which are usually older, typically have efficiencies that range between 56% and 70%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Newer furnaces can have efficiencies just above 98%. Higher efficiency means that an upgrade to an energy-efficient heater will not only save you money on electricity or gas bills but also help the environment.

Before you decide to replace your furnace for efficiency reasons, make sure that there isn’t a local or national increase is the price of energy. The sudden rise in gas prices may have very little to do with your heater and more to do with what is happening with the nation’s economy.

Uneven Heating

Perhaps your kitchen seems warm while the family room feels cold. Your home should feel fairly even when it comes to heating and comfort, so if you notice uneven heating patterns, they may be a sign that your furnace isn’t working properly. Combined with other symptoms, such as higher energy bills or loud noises, a furnace that heats unevenly is one that may need a replacement.

To learn more about your furnace’s condition, call Dalton Heating & Air today at 706-619-2799. We can evaluate your furnace, provide options, help you to make the best decision possible and install a new furnace for you if need be.