There’s nothing worse than coming home from a hard day’s work to find your fully operational furnace has stopped working. If this is your current reality, don’t panic. Call a licensed technician to repair or replace your old furnace. To help you keep your living space warm during the winter season, we have compiled a list of signs it’s time to invest in a new furnace.
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Is It Time to Purchase a New Furnace?
Your unit will always signal when it’s time to replace a furnace. The signs of this are subtle, and if you’re not paying attention, you may miss them. To help you understand your system, we’ve listed six common signs that your system needs to be replaced.
1. System Age
If your furnace isn’t working properly, it could be on its last leg. On average, the lifecycle of a furnace is just over 10 years. This, of course, will depend on how often you use and service your system.
If you’re not sure how old your furnace is, locate your unit’s model number or owner’s manual. It should have the information you need.
2. Built-Up Dirt
Excessive amounts of dander, dirt, and soot can clog your system and impact its function. If you’ve recently had your unit serviced by a professional HVAC technician and it is still malfunctioning, it’s likely time to replace your furnace.
3. Low Humidity
If the air in your home feels dry and irritates your skin, this is an indicator you may need to replace your furnace. Colder seasons will naturally cause the air to be drier than in warmer seasons but a furnace will only worsen your indoor humidity levels. Homes with hardwood floors will have even more difficulty maintaining comfortable humidity levels. To keep your home warm and maintain correct humidity, contact an HVAC technician for an evaluation.
4. Uneven Heating
A fully functioning furnace should always warm your home evenly. However, as your system ages, your unit will naturally decrease in efficiency. One indication of this is a furnace that doesn’t blow air through your home’s ventilation system.
5. Noisy Furnace
A normal furnace will quietly hum and blow air throughout a normal cycle. If your unit is making loud rattling or buzzing sounds, this is a sign you may be required to replace your furnace. To prevent a gas leak and other issues, you will need to contact a licensed technician to inspect your heating system. If the issues in your system cannot be fixed, a professional will help you find a new furnace that is the correct capacity for your living space.
6. Rust & Cracks in the System
Over time, your furnace will naturally deteriorate. Cracked and rusty components will be the initial telltale signs that it is time to replace your unit.
What’s the Differences Between Conventional & Condensing Gas Furnaces?
Conventional Furnaces
These systems are older and use traditional components of a furnace: natural gas, chimney flue, pilot, and a spark.
Condensing Furnaces
These systems are extremely efficient and produce heat after the burner has stopped igniting. This is done using primary and secondary heat exchangers.
What Are the Different Types of Furnaces?
Within the condensing and conventional types of furnaces, there are three subcategories of air warming systems. These stages refer to the technology and sophistication that are in control of the blower and burner.
Single-Stage Furnace
This is the most economical furnace option. Both components of the single-stage furnace (burner and blower) have one function: on.
Two-Stage Furnace
Replace your old single-stage system with an efficient two-stage furnace. This type of furnace has two electronic controls, which allow the flame and burner to simultaneously be at a low and high setting.
Modulating Furnace
The final type of furnace manages the blower motor and burner, which allow small adjustments to the burner setting, motor speed, and overall room temperature.
Furnace Repair & Installation Services
When temperatures drop and your furnace isn’t operating properly, you need professional assistance. We offer reliable furnace repair and furnace replacement services in areas such as Southern New Jersey, Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northeastern Maryland. In addition, our team offers other types of HVAC services such as air conditioning repair, heat pump replacement, and boiler maintenance. If your home or business is without heat, contact a reliable and experienced HVAC company to provide the services you need. Our skilled technicians will evaluate your furnace, recommend the appropriate services, and make the necessary repairs or replacements to restore heat throughout your property.