Signs Your Furnace May Need To Be Replaced Soon
If your furnace suddenly stops working, you may have to wait days or even weeks to order a new one and have it installed. If this is during the dead of winter, this means that your house may literally be freezing until this process occurs. Fortunately, it is pretty rare that your furnace unexpectedly stops working and leaves you in the cold. A furnace will give you many signs that it is nearing the end of its lifespan, allowing you the time to replace it, if you know what the signs are. Here are a few of the signs that indicate your furnace may be on its way out.
Your Furnace Needs Frequent Repairs
One of the signs that your furnace may give you if it is nearing the end of its lifespan is needing frequent repairs. Think about your furnace like a car. When your car is aging, it may need repair after repair. While making these repairs may help you put off replacing your car, the amount of money you have to pay for these repairs begins to add up and you can end up spending more than what the car is worth. The same is true with a furnace. Repairs may buy you time, but parts will keep failing and if you don't replace the unit, you can spend more than the unit is worth.
Your Heating Bill Has Jumped in Price
Another one of the signs that your furnace may give you as it nears the end of its life is a higher heating bill. If your heating bill has drastically increased from one year to the next, or even one month to the next, your furnace may be to blame. The unit may not longer be able to efficiently and effectively heat your air, which causes this price hike. If you notice a huge jump in your heating costs and your furnace is older, replacement may be needed.
Your Furnace Is Not Keeping You Warm
The last sign that your furnace may need to be replaced is that your furnace is not keeping you as warm as it once was. If you have your thermostat set to one consistent temperature, and suddenly, that just doesn't feel like it is keeping you warm, an older furnace may be the reason. The furnace may not be heating your home as quickly as it once did or as evenly as it did. If you are sure your thermostat is set correctly, it may be time to think about replacing your furnace.
On average, a furnace lasts about 15 to 20 years. If yours is getting up there in age and you begin to notice any of these signs, it may be time to start thinking about a new furnace. A furnace repair service can take a look and your furnace and let you know whether it still has some life left to it or whether now would a great time to order and new one and get it installed.