How Would I Know When I Need to Change a Furnace?

By Eaton's Heating
October 14, 2024

Even if a furnace continues to function, it eventually begins to degrade may require frequent furnace service. Despite routine maintenance, an old furnace may fail to keep you comfortable or even begin producing carbon monoxide. Here are the common signs that the time has come to replace your furnace.

Approaching the End of Its Lifespan

Depending on the exact model of furnace, the average lifespan may stretch from 18 to 30 years. However, after a furnace crosses the 15-year threshold, it often begins to suffer a variety of new problems. However, you can often cost-efficiently maintain its lifespan with furnace services. Choosing to replace or maintain an older furnace is a decision to make on a case-by-case basis.

Increasing Furnace Maintenance and Energy Costs

An old furnace will malfunction more and more frequently, at which point the cost benefits of maintenance experience diminishing returns. Even if you appear to save money when you compare maintenance costs to the price of a new furnace, energy inefficiency will offset these savings.

If your energy bills are rising, then it may be time to buy a new furnace. Not only will a new furnace outperform an aged one, but modern furnaces are much more energy-efficient than older models in general. You need to take all these factors into account when deciding if furnace replacement has become the more economical choice.

Noise, Soot, and Yellow Flames

When a furnace needs to be replaced, it often grows noisier and starts to produce soot around the register. Depending on the sort of noise, your furnace may be suffering one of a range of problems. Loud humming indicates the motor is under excessive strain and rattling points to mechanical problems. A yellow flame and soot around the registers indicate that your stove is heating inefficiently and producing excessive quantities of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be quite dangerous, so either of these issues is something you should contact a professional to look into.

Inconsistent Temperature Throughout the Home

Yellow flames can point to excessive carbon monoxide output, or it can simply mean your furnace isn’t heating the home well. A dated furnace in need of replacement will often fail to heat the home evenly, resulting in some rooms being too warm while others are too cold. If you’re constantly changing the thermostat trying to be comfortable, it could be a furnace problem or a thermostat problem.

Professional Furnace Service and Maintenance

While you’ll need to replace your furnace eventually, you should look to get the most out of your current furnace until it stops making financial sense. If you’re experiencing any of the above problems, contact us, and our furnace maintenance experts will help you choose to maintain or replace your furnace.

If so, then please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Eaton’s Heating Ltd! Our licensed technicians will be happy to address all your furnace questions. We’ll even help you explore the most appropriate heating and cooling options for your home in BC!

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