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If you have worries about your furnace in Malvern, PA, such as concerns that it might be too old to make it through the winter, now is the best time to face the problem. You don’t want to have to schedule an emergency furnace replacement during a freezing day in January, leaving your family shivering (or having to check into a hotel) while the new unit is put in. It’s still fall and the right time to make the choice about whether your furnace can get by with repairs or if it needs to be replaced.
You don’t have to face this question alone. You have our experienced heating professionals to provide you with expert opinions and service. We can inspect your furnace and give you an honest assessment of its future, then provide the relevant work you need for an easy winter of home heating.
What Are the Signs You Need Furnace Replacement Service?
If your furnace is aging or underperforming, replacement may be more cost-effective than repairs. Common signs you need furnace replacement service include:
- Furnace is 15 years old or more
- Heating bills have increased unexpectedly
- Frequent repairs are becoming costly
- Uneven temperatures or cold spots in the home
- Unusual noises, odors, or visible rust on the unit
Replacing your furnace can improve comfort, efficiency, and home safety.
How Old Is Your Furnace?
The best way to start thinking about whether your furnace is ready to retire is how many years it’s been in service. A natural gas furnace that has received annual professional maintenance (this is important!) can usually last over 15 years. Electric furnaces can go longer, over 20 years. If your furnace is already above those ages, then the replacement question becomes more urgent and other factors become more important.
Is the Furnace Costing Too Much to Run?
One bellwether for a furnace that’s too worn down to keep is when it starts losing energy efficiency and runs up your utility bills. A furnace that’s well-maintained should retain 95% of its energy-efficient performance through most of its lifetime and only begin to see a drop-off in the last two years. When you see a spike in your heating costs that isn’t connected to an increase in use or energy prices, it’s a major warning the furnace is coming to its end.
Understanding When Repairs Are Too Expensive
If a repair for an ailing furnace will keep it running effectively and efficiently for another few years, then it’s a good idea to go with the repair—unless the repair is too expensive. How can you tell when a repair is too costly? One way is to look at the expense of getting a replacement furnace. If the repair is more than half the price of the new furnace, the repair isn’t worth it. You can also use the “Rule of 5,000”: multiply the cost of the repair by the furnace age in years. If the result is more than 5,000, the repair is too steep.
Poor Heating Performance
Finally, if the furnace simply isn’t doing its job the way it should (takes too long to heat the house, unevenly heats the house, or poorly heats the house) and repairs aren’t changing that, you definitely need to look seriously at replacing it.
We will provide you with the best information when it comes to repairing or replacing your furnace. Make an appointment with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the main signs it’s time to replace a furnace?
Answer: Key signs your furnace may need replacing include rising energy bills because it’s losing efficiency, frequent or costly repairs, age above typical service life, and poor heating performance such as uneven heating or taking too long to warm your home.
Question: How old should a furnace be before considering replacement?
Answer: Most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. If your furnace is near or past this age and performance is declining, start planning for a replacement even if it still runs, as efficiency and reliability drop with age.
Question: When does it make more sense to replace rather than repair?
Answer: A common guideline is the 50% rule: if a repair costs more than half the price of a new furnace, it’s usually more economical to replace it. Another approach is the “Rule of 5,000,” where multiplying furnace age by repair cost suggests replacement when the product exceeds 5,000.
Question: Can a furnace’s performance issues signal a need for replacement?
Answer: Yes. If the furnace runs longer without effectively heating your home, heats unevenly, or wastes energy, these performance issues often mean the system is worn out and a new, more efficient unit would improve comfort and lower energy bills.
Question: Are unusual noises or spikes in energy bills reasons to replace a furnace?
Answer: Unusual sounds like rattling, popping, or squealing and unexplained increases in energy bills can indicate internal wear and declining efficiency. Persistent symptoms like these often mean it’s time to consider a furnace replacement rather than repair.
Michall Daimion Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has been the Main Line’s Premier Service Provider since 1976. Schedule service for furnace repair or replacement today.