In the cold Connecticut climate, the furnace is truly the heart of the household. Homeowners rely on this system to keep them warm during the colder months. The worst possible scenario is for a furnace to go out in the middle of the winter season.
Have you been delaying replacing your furnace? If so, this is not the best idea. Putting off furnace replacement only leads to higher energy bills, more frequent repairs, and increased service costs. Therefore, opting for a replacement may be more economical in the long run.
SM Mechanical Services offers heating services in Wethersfield, CT, and can assess your system’s needs. There are a few signs you can look for that indicate whether it’s time to replace your furnace. Let’s look at them below.
Signs Your Furnace May Need Replacement in Wethersfield, CT
Have you experienced efficiency issues with your unit, such as soaring monthly energy bills without explanation? Is your furnace more than 10 to 15 years old? Does it constantly need repairing? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, it may be time to replace it.
Keep in mind that regular checks of your furnace system keep it functioning well and will slow deterioration. If your unit has not had regular maintenance, you may have noticed other signs that it needs replacing. Here are several things to look out for:
Airflow Issues
A sure sign your furnace is malfunctioning is stagnant, stale, dry, or humid air in your home. This means the air isn’t circulating properly throughout the space. Another symptom of poor airflow is that not all the rooms in your house are heating up effectively.
Each of these issues indicates that your system is losing power and is unable to cycle the air evenly around the home.
Decline in Heating Performance
As your heating system declines, you may have noticed that it no longer performs consistently. While some rooms may be warmer, in others, an area may be colder for no reason you can make sense of.
If your system is malfunctioning, it has to use more energy to keep your home warm, which causes it to work harder. This increases wear and tear on the unit, rendering it inefficient and creating a continuous cycle of overworking the system, leading to high energy bills.
Dander, Dust, Rust, Soot Build-Up
You may have turned on your system, looked around, and seen dander or dust particles floating in the air. Maybe you’ve noticed rust and soot in your home’s corners and around the baseboards.
This is another sign that it’s time to get a new furnace. It’s also a potential health hazard if you neglect to address it, leading to respiratory issues and aggravation of allergies.
Energy Bills Are Steadily Increasing
As your furnace is on the way out, it will stop working as efficiently as it once did. As a result, it will expend more energy and cost you more to keep it running.
If your energy bills are higher each month, this is a telltale sign that your furnace needs to be replaced.
Furnace Makes Odd Sounds
You may be alarmed if you’ve noticed that your furnace is unusually loud or makes buzzing, cracking, hissing, humming, or rattling sounds. These strange noises indicate that your system might have structural damage.
This is yet another sign your unit needs to be replaced.
System’s Age
A furnace’s longevity is a key factor in determining whether or not you need a new furnace. The average lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years. If your home is well established, you probably inherited your furnace, so it may be older than you think.
An older unit may also show typical signs of wear and tear, such as cracks and rust. If you’ve noticed these signs, especially if your furnace is more than 30 years old, it’s time to consider furnace replacement.
System Needs Frequent Repairs
You may find that your furnace needs repairs constantly and think, “I can’t afford to replace my furnace right now, so I’ll just keep repairing it.” A word of caution: It may seem like you’re saving money because an individual repair is cheaper than a replacement. However, these smaller bills add up over time.
If your furnace is still functioning, it’s a sound idea to save money each month just in case it goes out for good.
Safety Concerns: When To Act Quickly
Acting quickly is imperative in an emergency. Cracks in your heat exchange unit are hazardous and can create deadly carbon monoxide leaks. Some of the same indicators that you need a new furnace also tell you to do so as soon as possible.
These signs include poor ventilation, soot accumulation, and pilot light problems.
Final Factors To Consider
Now that you’ve reviewed the key signs to know when to replace your furnace, here are a few final considerations. Check for signs that your furnace is not venting properly. Also, remember that if your system is between 15 and 30 years old, it’s likely time for a new one. Over time, repair costs can often exceed your furnace’s replacement costs, which is a good rule of thumb if you’re still on the fence.
Upgrading to a new energy-efficient system will give you long-term savings benefits and lower the cost of your energy bills. Modern furnaces are also built with sustainability in mind and have a lower carbon footprint, so you’ll be helping the planet, too.
Contact SM Mechanical Service in Wethersfield, CT
Purchasing a new furnace is an important decision. This critical financial investment in your home arms you with the safety and security you need, especially during Connecticut winters. SM Mechanical Services’ goal is to keep our clients worry-free by offering them quality products and work and putting them first.
If you’re ready to take the next step, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us to schedule your quote, email us at contact@smmechanicalservices.com, or give us a call at 860-530-2671.