Furnace Replacement: When to Know When It Is Time

Is It Time for a Furnace Replacement?

If you are reading this article, something has happened in your home to make you question whether your furnace can continue to handle the job of keeping the family warm. As a wise homeowner, you are gathering information to answer the question, “Was this a serious problem, or do I have time?”

Honestly, each home, each furnace system, and each budget are different, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer that will decide for you. However, we can provide enough general information that will lead a homeowner to get the specific information needed to ensure a wise decision. Here are the top 4 Furnace Replacement considerations that will catalyze further exploration.

Changes in Your Home That Can Cause You to Research a Furnace Replacement

When your present system was installed, a technician made some careful calculations and determined the correct “size” system to heat and cool a given space. If an addition was added or remodeling took place, changing the floor plan of the original structure can necessitate a change in the HVAC system. When the garage becomes a spare bedroom, the existing system was not designed to condition that space, and it may be inadequate for the task.

The Age of the Furnace

The average length of useful life for air conditioners is 15 to 20 years, and the average length of useful life for furnaces is 20 to 25 years. Many homeowners have no idea how old their HVAC system is, so that is the first place to start. If records or memory are lacking, find the make and model number on a major component and do an internet search. This gives you the manufacture date, not the installation date, but it is a start.

What goes on at 15 to 25 years that typically ends HVAC usefulness?

• For natural gas-powered systems, water vapor from combustion can create rust on the burner assembly, heat exchanger, or exhaust stack. These are serious, life-threatening problems, so some will opt to replace the system rather than make repairs.
• Heat pump (and air conditioning) systems use an electro-mechanical process that compresses gas (heating it) and releases it (cooling things off). The compression cycle removes heat from a home during the summer and collects heat from the outdoors during the winter. This process happens multiple times for each heating or cooling cycle, and the heating/cooling cycle will repeat 3 to 4 times per hour year-round. After 20 years, these mechanical parts show signs of wear and tear. In addition, the gas is under considerable pressure, so if it finds a flaw or cracks, it escapes very quickly. The same can be said for all electrical sensors, switches, and control mechanisms.

Completing regular maintenance can extend the useful life of these parts, but eventually, they will wear out.

Frequent Repairs

The wear and tear mentioned above results in brief interruptions of service, requiring a visit from a repair technician; this is not unusual. However, there are a couple of details that make helpful reminders.

• The best-case scenario is finding a small problem before it becomes a big problem. A small problem creates stress and increases wear on other larger parts; the obvious example is a clogged air filter, which stresses and wears almost every other part. When the same part must be replaced every year, it may indicate there is a root problem that creates the found problem. Take note of this.
• It is easy to handle the current repair without considering the larger picture. If you have frequent repairs, the cost of each repair might seem small. But the accumulation of the repair bills might be higher than you are aware of.

Rising Utility Bills

This is a little more difficult to determine, so don’t panic. As the furnace ages, it loses efficiency, but it might not be a problem yet. After all, energy prices are rising across the board, so a higher energy bill is a given. Since the utility bills are going to be higher each year, do a little research and discover whether the system is using substantially more energy than in years past.

Newer systems achieve much greater energy efficiency than old systems, so arm yourself with information that will help you determine whether a furnace replacement is worthwhile.

Want more information on Furnace Replacement, we can help!

With our four decades of experience as a furnace replacement contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with the furnace replacement steps.

We have several financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your furnace replacement and Repair, Tune-up maintenance, and Commercial HVAC Maintenance needs.