The average furnace has an estimated lifespan of 15 to 20 years. With proper maintenance, your furnace might last even longer. But how do you know when it’s time to replace your furnace?
Some repairs don’t cost a lot, so they’re easy to get done and extend the life of your unit. But eventually, repairs can get so expensive that it makes more sense to replace your unit with a newer model. If you need heating repair, our team can help. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about the 50% repair or replacement rule for your furnace.
Furnace Repairs
Research suggests that furnaces require significantly more repairs in the last two years of life. You may notice that service calls are getting closer and closer together. Instead of once per year, suddenly you’re having to call us multiple times per year. If you’ve had to call our team frequently over the last couple of years for repairs, that may be a sign that your furnace is reaching the end of its life.
The 50% rule that we recommend is that if a repair cost exceeds 50% of the cost of a new furnace, it makes more sense to just replace your furnace completely. You may quantify this 50% as a single repair bill or multiple repairs that you’ve made over weeks or months. If you’ve spent a significant amount on repairs in the recent past, it may be time for a new heater.
Investing in a brand-new furnace can mean that you get one that is much more efficient. You can save on your monthly energy bills by having an ENERGY STAR furnace. In fact, experts estimate that you can save around 15% on your energy bill by installing a newer, more energy-efficient furnace.
Other Signs
Even if your furnace hasn’t surpassed that 50% cost yet when it comes to repairs, there could be other signs that your furnace is near the end of its life. If your furnace begins to make unusual sounds like popping, rattling, or banging, something is definitely wrong.
It’s also a problem if your furnace blows cold or lukewarm air. Even if your home is still comfortable, when you hold up your hand to an air vent, you should feel hot air coming out. It’s also possible for your home to have rooms that are significantly hotter or colder than others. You want to get this checked out if it’s a problem you’re having because it is not normal.
If your pilot light is any color other than blue, your furnace may be producing carbon monoxide. When it produces carbon monoxide, the flame burns yellow or orange because it is not burning cleanly or efficiently. Other signs of carbon monoxide to watch for include seeing soot streaks around your furnace, rust around your flue pipes, or moisture developing around your windows.
Contact Meyers Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.