When Should You Expect To Replace Your Heater
Just llike anything else in your home, the furnace has a limited life. Eventually, you should expect to replace it at some point if you plan on staying in your home for many years or decades. Let’s take a look at some signs that your heating system is on its last legs and how long it should last before you need to replace it.
Key Signs That You Need to Replace Your Heater
Aside from age, paying more for heating is a key sign that you should consider replacing your furnace in the near several months or years. Over time, a heating system becomes less efficient, which means that it will go through longer or more frequent cycles. In some cases, it will need to do both as it struggles to maintain your preferred temperature.
You may also notice that your system is in need of increased maintenance. Typically, you should be able to get away with just a routine cleaning and inspection each year. However, an older system may be more likely to incur broken parts, clogs or other issues that need to be taken care of.
This is primarily because older parts are more likely to break while an older furnace is more likely to accumulate greater levels of dust, dirt or other debris. Ultimately, that debris can get inside of the furnace, which can further weaken parts or result in clogs.
How Long Does a Furnace Typically Last?
When properly sized, installed and maintained, a heating system should last for about 20 years. It may be possible to extend its lifespan by using it less often or through good fortune.
However, if your furnace is entering the third decade of its life, it’s more likely to be prone to malfunctions and simply not as efficient as newer models. Therefore, it may be a good idea to replace it even if there are no obvious issues that you need to take care of.
An Older Furnace May Be More Expensive to Maintain
Even if you are convinced that your furnace has some life left in it, it’s likely going to be harder and more expensive to keep in good condition. This is because modern systems may use parts or lubricants that are no longer made or haven’t been made for many years. Therefore, it may take longer to source what you need, and in some cases, a routine repair may need to be delegated to a specialist who understands how to repair older heating systems. In either scenario, you can expect to pay more for the time and effort put into a repair job.
An Older System May Endanger Your Home and Health
It’s worth noting that an older furnace could fail to discharge properly, which can result in a natural gas leak. The dust, pollen and other debris on the furnace itself may result in greater amounts of heat as the furnace has to work harder to keep running.
Over time, the heat generated by your overworked system might be enough to spark a fire. In addition to putting yourself or others in harm’s way, you may risk having to pay for repairs on your own. This is because your homeowner’s insurance company will likely deny a claim to fix damage caused through your own negligence.
Financial Assistance May Be Available
If you are worried about how you will pay for a new furnace, there may be ways to help you afford it. For instance, it may be possible to put the transaction on a credit card or apply for a personal loan to break the cost into monthly payments.
Tax credits may also be available to defray the cost of your new furnace. It’s also worth noting that a new system will likely result in reduced maintenance and heating costs, which will help pay for your system over time.
If you are in the market to replace your heater in the next few months, don’t hesitate to contact the folks at Daytona One Hour. Remember, if we aren’t on time, you don’t pay a dime, so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call today.
