How to Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace
Is it safe to say that summer is here? Well, maybe in principle because the warmer weather is starting to arrive with more regularity. We’re not yet to the equinox, but we’re close. We’ve talked a lot about air conditioning in this space – which is important this time of year – but we haven’t yet covered what comes after. And that’s taking care of your furnace and potentially furnace repair.
Like any critical component of your home, furnaces don’t last forever. With proper care and maintenance, their lifespan can be extended with minimal wear and tear. But eventually the day comes when it’s time to make a change.
We’re going to talk about what your furnace does, why it’s important to keep it up to date and healthy, and how to know when it’s time to upgrade.
The importance of your furnace’s health and efficiency
The way your home’s furnace works is pretty simple. It’s also part of your HVAC system that has a similar function to your air conditioner, but with warmer air instead of cooler air. The furnace warms up air and distributes it through the ducts of your home, sending warm air where it’s needed.
Your AC and furnace aren’t technically connected, but they use the same fan/blower to funnel fresh air (warm or cool). Furnaces are typically gas or electric, with gas being more common but electric more efficient over the long haul.
Here are some more need-to-knows about your furnace:
Energy types
Your furnace may operate on one of a few different types of energy: propane, electricity or natural gas. In the United States, natural gas furnaces are most common but electric furnaces are rising in popularity as sustainable practices become more commonplace.
Comfort during the cold
One main reason you want your furnace to be healthy and happy is because that means YOU are healthy and happy. When it’s cold outside, your home can get cold quickly if your furnace isn’t ready to jump into action. Having warmer air in your home, when you need it, is crucial for comfort and health all year long.
Efficiency is key
Just like your air conditioning system needs regular love and attention (i.e. maintenance) to operate properly, the same goes for your furnace. In some cases, your furnace also may need to be replaced.
What to look for (and how to know it’s time) when replacing your furnace
It may not be the most enjoyable news that your furnace needs replaced, but it’s always better to know before it’s too late. Getting ahead of the problem is only a good thing. You’ll save time, money and be guaranteed to have warm air throughout the winter.
Be mindful of your furnace’s life expectancy
One key note is that your furnace’s user manual will include a guide to life expectancy. Depending on the type of furnace and when it was installed, the expectancy can range from 15 to 25 years (sometimes longer). When the time draws near and it’s clear that a replacement may be needed. You can plan for it and start saving as costs can be high.
Listen for unusual noises
Internal mechanical or functional failure is a telltale sign of an aging furnace, or one that simply needs replaced sooner than later. Sounds like rumbling, popping, and clicking are indicative of problems within the furnace. Some people say that their furnace sounds like a dryer when you have shoes in it. If that’s the case, you should be checking with your local HVAC company to see if your furnace needs to be replaced.
Monitor your home’s indoor air quality
When your furnace is failing, its function suffers and it can deteriorate quickly. The last thing you want is poor indoor air quality, which can lead to health problems and other issues within the home.
Pay attention to more frequent usage – and higher bills
Poor efficiency and failing functionality will show up in the place you’d least want to see. On your monthly energy bill. If you notice rising costs despite the weather being consistent, it’s probably a sign that your furnace isn’t operating properly.
Uncle Mike’s Home Service knows furnaces, and we’re here to help YOU
HVAC equipment that needs to be replaced is likely already costing you money. Older or outdated systems require more energy to distribute warm or cool air, leading to higher energy consumption and higher utility bills.
Uncle Mike’s Home Service is licensed and certified to replace and install HVAC equipment from several leading manufacturers. And our technicians have seen it all. When the time comes to replace your HVAC equipment, give Uncle Mike’s a call.
You can call us at 844-900-MIKE, or fill out our online contact form to request a free estimate or schedule an appointment.