Your furnace can have a long and impressive lifespan. But as your furnace gets older, you may be thinking more and more about when it will be time to replace it. The good news is, your furnace can last for 15-20 years and maybe longer. The bad news is, if you have a furnace that is over 20 years old, it’s high time to plan for a replacement.
Experts suggest that your furnace will have the most repair needs in its last two years of life. If you’ve noticed an increase in furnace repairs, it may be time for furnace replacement in Portland, OR. You can give us a call anytime to schedule your free assessment. Until then, keep reading to learn more about signs that this winter may have been your furnace’s last heating season.
Furnace Age
As we already mentioned, the top factor in needing furnace replacement is the system’s age. However, we don’t want to replace your furnace any more than you do before it is absolutely necessary. We would love to help you extend the life of your existing furnace by offering regular tune-ups.
It’s very possible that your furnace is 15-20 years old and still in excellent condition if you have diligently invested in annual heating maintenance. But if you bought your home in the middle or toward the end of your furnace’s life, you may not know how well the previous owners maintained the system. The good news is, our team can usually tell. We can inspect the inside of the system to gauge wear and tear and see how well the components have been cared for.
Expensive Repairs
Expensive repairs are just as concerning as frequent repairs–maybe more so. It’s possible that your furnace has had a series of relatively minor problems that did not cost a lot. But if you had to pay a lot for a single repair service or multiple repair services, that’s a sign that your furnace is at the end of its life. Experts recommend that you should never spend more than 50% of the cost of a new unit on repairs for an existing furnace. If a repair is that expensive, you’re better off investing in a brand-new furnace.
Energy Bills
Even if your furnace is running great with no signs of stopping, your energy bills can indicate a loss in efficiency. If your energy bills are increasing steadily, or if you notice a significant spike in energy use without an explanation, your furnace may be to blame. It’s possible that it is working harder to produce the same results. Sometimes a tuneup can help you win back some of that energy efficiency.
But there also reaches a point that there’s nothing else our team can do to help you save money with your existing unit, and it’s time to upgrade. It can seem like a daunting task to overhaul your entire furnace, but we’re here to help. And a new furnace offers a lot of great benefits such as a manufacturer’s warranty and much better energy efficiency.
For HVAC, indoor air quality, and water heater services, look no further than the team who is “Connecting People to Comfort” – Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!