By Brenda Ashaka
Alpha 4 Real AC Repair & Service, Katy, TX
Deciding when to replace your heating system can be tricky. Being a major investment, you don’t want to spend money on a new heater if your old unit is still in good working order.
On the other hand, you can’t afford to wait until your furnace dies completely to replace it. The last thing you want is for it to fail in the midst of the heating season.
The best thing to do is to keep a close eye on your heating system as it nears the end of its lifespan and watch out for telltale signs that your old unit isn’t up to the task anymore. Here are the signs that you need your heating system replaced in Houston, TX.
Watch out for these nine signs that it is time to replace your heating system (HVAC) in Houston, TX
- Your Heating System is Older Than 15 Years
- Your Winter Energy Bills are Exceptionally High
- Your Heating System isn’t Heating Your Home Effectively
- Your Heating Unit is Making Loud, Strange Noises
- You’re Having to Repair the Heater Frequently
- Your Heater Constantly Cycles On and Off
- The Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently
- You Notice Physical Signs of Deterioration
1. Your Heating (HVAC) System is Older Than 15 Years
The number one thing that tips you that you need to start planning for heater replacement is the age of your current system.
The typical life span of a furnace in Houston is 15 to 20 years. When your unit is at or near this age, the major components will start to break down beyond repair.
If your unit has passed the 15-year mark and is experiencing major or frequent problems, this is a warning sign that you need a new furnace in place. Even ENERGY STAR recommends this duration.
2. Your Winter Energy Bills are Exceptionally High
As your furnace ages and deteriorates due to wear and tear, its energy efficiency goes down. It has to work harder and longer and draws a lot of power to keep your home warm and cozy.
The result? Your monthly energy bills your heating bills will continue to rise gradually. Eventually, your monthly energy bills in the winter will be so high that it’ll prove too expensive to maintain the old furnace.
Upgrading to a modern heating system that’s more energy efficient will reduce your monthly utility bills, so you will start recouping your money right away.
3. Your Heating (HVAC) System isn’t Heating Your Home Effectively
It goes without saying that a worn-down heater that has deteriorated to the point of requiring replacement will fail in its job. It won’t produce sufficient heated air, or it won’t distribute the heated air evenly.
Intermittent or insufficient heat is especially noticeable at night when temperatures take a dip, and your furnace has to work harder to maintain a toasty interior. You will find yourself fiddling with the thermostat constantly.
Now, this alone isn’t necessarily a reason to splurge on a new furnace. Sometimes simple furnace repairs are enough to fix this issue. However, if you have an old heating system that appears to function properly but is failing in its job, replacement is the solution.
4. Your Heating Unit is Making Loud, Strange Noises
A faulty heating unit that’s due for replacement is a noisy machine. Normally, a furnace will only emit a low hissing sound as it operates.
Towards the end of its lifespan, though, the internal components will fail or come loose and produce loud banging, popping, rattling, grinding, thumping, screeching, squealing, buzzing, humming, and other unusual sounds the heater didn’t produce before.
These sounds are warning signs that the internal parts of the furnace are broken and that it’s time to start shopping for a new heater. Have the unit checked by a furnace repair contractor in Houston and be prepared for furnace installation.
5. You’re Having to Repair the Heater Frequently
When your heating system0 has deteriorated to the point of requiring a replacement, it’ll start to develop problems frequently. You will constantly find yourself on the phone calling your HVAC contractor to come to address a recurring problem or a new issue.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s best to replace the furnace sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you may end up throwing a lot of money into repairing an obsolete unit that you’ll still have to replace soon.
As a rule of thumb, your money is better spent installing a new unit if the cost of repairs over a one year period is likely to exceed half the price of a new furnace.
6. Major Components of the Heating System are Failing
Major components of a furnace can be very expensive to repair or replace. Most warranties only have you covered up to the 10th or 12th-year mark.
If your warranty has expired and you’re faced with expensive repairs for major parts such as the control board or blower motor, it’s better to spend the money on a new modern furnace.
7. Your Heater Constantly Cycles On and Off
Under normal conditions, a heating system should switch on when the interior is too cold and turn off when the desired temperature is achieved.
A unit kicking on and off too frequently indicates a problem. Most likely, the current furnace is too small or too large for your home and, therefore, not effective or efficient at heating your home. The only way to solve this problem is to install a new furnace that’s correctly sized for your house.
8. The Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently
One of the signs that your unit is too old and inefficient is that it keeps tripping the circuit breaker. When a heater is old, and the internal parts are worn down, it might end up drawing so much power that it trips that circuit breaker.
If you’re experiencing this problem, the first step is to call an electrician or HVAC repair specialist to inspect the wiring. Should the wiring turns out to be in good repair, this is a sign that you need to consider a new heating system installation.
9. You Notice Physical Signs of Deterioration
An old heating unit nearing the end of its lifespan will have physical signs of deterioration. If you inspect it, you will notice rust or corrosion, cracks, and soot buildup.
When your heating unit is this worn down and leaky, you’re paying for it in decreased efficiency and high energy bills. Upgrading to an energy-efficient heater system will curb the wastage of energy and save you money.
Conclusion
Although furnaces can last a long time with proper care and maintenance, they eventually wear out and require replacement. If you’ve noticed one or more of the above signs, it’s time to have your heating system replaced.
Now, installing a new heater isn’t cheap. The good thing is that replacing your heating at the right time means avoiding expensive and unexpected furnace repairs and saving money in heating bills.
