When Should I Replace My Furnace?

Homeowners should expect to replace their furnace every 18 to 20 years. This is the average lifetime of most furnaces. But, maintenance may extend the life of some furnaces, and others may not last quite as long. But, cost plays an important role when many people can replace a furnace.

Get an Inspection

Annual furnace inspections can show if your furnace needs a repair or replacement. It's better to replace a furnace before winter hits. You don't want an aging furnace to stop working in the middle of the season. An inspection may show that a furnace needs or will soon need a repair or requires replacing. HVAC professionals can give homeowners an estimate for the repairs.

Cost of Repairs

One rule of thumb is to replace a furnace whenever the cost of repair would be greater than 50% the price of a new furnace. Costly repairs like this show that the furnace is at the end of its life cycle. It will need repairs again in the future. Buying a new furnace may save money in the long run. It's important to note that the furnace's end of life occurs within two years after a large repair.

Another cost that some fail to take into consideration is the cost of heating their homes. If these costs have increased over the years, it could be a sign that a furnace is no longer running as it should. Maintenance may be able to restore some function of the HVAC system. But it may be more cost-effective to replace the furnace if it lowers heating bills, even if a furnace is not that old.

Your Furnace is Old

Even if the old furnace is working as best as it can, a new furnace may be more efficient and thus more cost-effective. This uses an AFUE rating, which compares how much energy the furnace actually turns into heat. Modern heaters can be as much as 98.5% efficient compared to the 56% to 70% AFUE of older heating systems. You may be able to retrofit some older HVAC systems with new hardware to become more efficient. An HVAC professional may recommend a new system when comparing costs over time.

Loud Sounds

Finally, loud noises may be a sign that your furnace is no longer as efficient. An inspection can determine if a repair is enough or if you should replace your furnace.

If you need a furnace repair or replacement, contact Ardmore Fresh Air today.