The last thing you need in the middle of a blizzard is to have your furnace to stop working. It’s very clear that you need to repair your furnace and quickly. The lack of heat and the falling temperatures inside your home is a clear indication of a problem. But trying to determine when to replace a furnace is another matter. If your furnace fails it may need to be replaced, but more often than not you can have it repaired until you can schedule a more convenient time to replace your furnace.
The Lifespan of a Furnace
As a rule of thumb you can expect a new gas furnace to last 20 to 30 years with most brands, but that is not set in stone. There are many variables that can affect the useful life of your furnace. That’s where this article on when to replace a furnace can help you make a wise decision before it becomes an emergency because having to replace a furnace in an emergency situation can cause you to pay way too much and end up with a less than efficient HVAC system.
To best know when to replace a furnace it is advisable to have a regular inspection and maintenance performed on your HVAC system. Just as you should have an annual check-up for your health you should do the same thing with your furnace. Your heating and air conditioning system will change and wear over a period of time and the best way to be aware of these changes and to take care of any minor problems is a regular cleaning and inspection. The heating and air conditioning contractor that does your inspection can also spot potential problems and make you aware of anything that may lead to a furnace replacement in the future.
When you have your heating local heating contractor come out for your annual inspection you can have them to check the AFUE or commonly called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency of your furnace. This will tell you how efficiently your furnace is operating and how much of your heating dollar is being wasted. All homes lose heat through doors, windows and up the chimney. The higher the AFUE rating the more efficient your system and if your rate is below 80% your system may need repairs or it is time to replace your furnace with a new more efficient model.
When to Replace Furnace Signs
Deciding when to replace a furnace based solely of how long it has been in your home is not the best way to make that decision. Like I said earlier, there are many variables that can impact the life of a furnace. Replacing a furnace just because it is thirty years old could be a huge waste of money. You know your home the best and how it feels on the coldest days, if your HVAC system is having a hard time keeping the house at the preset temperature replacing the furnace might be the answer, but it could also be a simple repair.
Like anything mechanical there could be other reasons that are making you ask when to replace a furnace. If you are experiencing temperature changes and having the furnace shut off at the wrong time it could be a thermostat problem. The thermostat controls all the functions of your furnace and depending on the thermostat it could be solved by a simple replacement. Sometimes a dirty filter in your HVAC system could cause you to wonder about furnace replacement so make sure you change or clean your filter once a month. A clogged filter will cause your furnace to work much harder to heat your home and also undue wear and tear on your HVAC system.
Your furnace can last longer than you might think with the proper care and maintenance. Rather than asking yourself when to replace a furnace you should ask yourself if there are other reasons why your home is not as comfortable as it once was and save some money.
