Furnace replacement is no one’s idea of a good time, but neither is the prospect of facing a bitter Wisconsin winter with an unreliable heat source. While it may be tempting to hold onto an aging furnace until a replacement is an absolute necessity, you may find yourself in a more precarious, more expensive, and more stressful situation by waiting. Find out how you can tell when ‘ ‘it’s time for a new furnace and how to make the process as painless as possible along the way.
Warning Signs Your Furnace is Struggling
A few telltale signs show your furnace ‘isn’t performing at peak level and may be heading into dangerous territory. Some are quite easily attributed to your furnace: unevenly heated rooms, excessive noise, or new sounds coming from the furnace itself and rising energy bills. Others, however, may not always be so obvious.
For example, did you know that an increase in soot, rust, and dust building up in your home can be a dead giveaway your furnace is on its last legs? ‘ ‘It’s also wise to consider the age of the unit itself. The average life span of a furnace is anywhere from 15-20 years. The maintenance history and usage level both have a significant impact on the lifespan of your furnace. If a unit is heavily used but infrequently maintained, it may need to be replaced closer to the 15-year mark. Meticulously maintained furnaces can sometimes last longer than two decades, but that ‘doesn’t always mean you should invest in repairs over replacement. The idea of repairing an existing unit can be far more appealing than a full replacement, but it does become a matter of diminishing returns in the long run.
The cost of repairs can quickly outstrip the cost of an entirely new furnace, especially if those repairs are spread out for a few ‘years’ worth of major repairs. When a unit is older and malfunctioning, it can often be more efficient and cost-effective to simply replace it altogether.
Replacing Your Furnace at the Right Time Saves Money
Waiting until your unit finally gives up the ghost might stave off costs in the short term. In the long term, however, you could find yourself paying significantly more in emergency calls and peak season replacement if the furnace fails during the winter months.
No one wants to be surprised by a dead furnace in the middle of a deep cold spell. If ‘ ‘you’re not sure whether ‘ ‘it’s time for a furnace replacement, ‘ ‘we’re here to help.
Our expert technicians can help you determine whether your unit is up to the task of battling winter chill, or if it needs to be replaced ahead of the impending season change.
