5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace

A woman looking cold with a blanket as she sits on a couch.

When temperatures drop, you count on your furnace to heat your home without a hitch. After all, there’s no better feeling than cranking up the thermostat and curling up on a chilly day.

Although your furnace is designed to stick with you through thick and thin for many years, it’s important to know that this heating system won’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll need to schedule an upgrade and wave goodbye to your old but trusty unit.

So, how are you supposed to know that it’s time for a replacement? Fortunately, there are many red flags you can keep an eye out for. Let’s go over some warning signs it’s time to replace your furnace.

What Can Affect the Lifespan of a Furnace?

Before we go over the signs your furnace needs replacing, it can be helpful to know which factors can affect your heating system’s longevity. There are some changes that you can make to increase the lifespan of your furnace, but there are some circumstances that are simply beyond your control.

Take a look at the factors that can shorten your furnace’s lifespan:

What Factors Affect a Furnace's Lifespan infographic

Your Furnace Is Getting Old

If you’re searching for signs it’s time to replace your furnace, why not start with your heating system’s age? Although furnaces are known for lasting long, there’s a good chance your unit won’t make it to 30 years. Instead, you can typically expect these systems to last anywhere from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance.

You can typically check your furnace’s age by locating the serial number or manufacturer’s label on the unit. The manufacturer’s label should tell you the date the heating system was manufactured. If you can’t find this label, you can try decoding the serial number to understand its age. Some manufacturer’s websites have helpful tools to help you read the serial number.

You Can’t Seem to Get Comfortable

Although it might seem like a given, it’s important to recognize that a lack of comfort is one of the top signs your furnace needs replacing. Your heating system has one job: to keep your family and furry friends comfortable and warm. If your furnace can’t meet your needs, it’s likely time to consider a replacement.

There are many potential reasons why your furnace can’t keep you comfortable. You might be experiencing hot and cold spots throughout your home, or maybe the unit simply can’t reach your desired temperature.

Whatever the case may be, don’t overlook these signs that your furnace needs replacing. Your comfort matters — and you deserve to have a heating system that can live up to your expectations.

Your Furnace Is Short Cycling

Does your furnace turn on and off frequently? This particular problem is known as “short cycling,” and it can become frustrating to deal with pretty quickly.

When it comes down to it, short cycling can have many causes. For example, you could have a clogged filter that’s causing the heat exchanger to overheat. The thermostat in your home could also be malfunctioning or installed in a bad location so that your furnace thinks that your home doesn’t need to be heated.

However, short cycling is also one of the most common signs it’s time to replace your furnace. Why? It’s possible that your heating system is the wrong size for your home. If your furnace is too big, it’ll turn off soon after kicking on, thinking it has completed its job. This constant on-and-off cycle can lead to excessive wear and tear and high energy costs, so you’ll want to address it as soon as possible.

You’re Paying for Higher Heating Bills

If you’re still searching for signs your furnace needs replacing, take a look at your recent heating bills. Higher-than-usual heating costs can suggest that your furnace has lost its energy efficiency over the years.

When your heating system loses its efficiency, it has to work overtime to meet your comfort needs, wasting a great amount of energy in the process. Higher energy usage equates to higher energy costs.

Fortunately, there are many energy-efficient furnace replacements to choose from. Not only will a new heating system help you stay comfortable, but it can also potentially help you save money on your heating bills.

You’re Hearing Strange Noises

Is your furnace making loud noises such as banging, squealing, or rattling? Although there’s a chance that these problems can be fixed with a furnace repair, you’ll want to take a step back and look at the situation as a whole. If your heating system is more than 15 years old and appears to negatively affect your energy bills, you might consider completely replacing the unit.

Strange sounds can be blatant signs your furnace needs replacing, so you shouldn’t ignore them. Instead, get in touch with a professional HVAC technician and have them assess the issue. The expert will recommend a repair or replacement depending on the circumstances.

Upgrade Your Heating System With RR Electric!

There can be many signs it’s time to replace your furnace. If you notice one or more of the red flags above, don’t hesitate to schedule a furnace installation in Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, or the surrounding areas with RR Electric. Our professional technicians will help you find the best solution for your needs.

Heating system problems should never be ignored. For example, a malfunctioning furnace can end up breaking down when you need it most. In more extreme cases, an old, outdated gas furnace could put you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

If it’s time to replace your furnace, turn to our installers right away. We offer a variety of heating and cooling services, including everything from air conditioning replacements to electric heating repair. Contact us to schedule your furnace upgrade today!