Most homeowners will have a furnace until long after it stops working at full capacity. Like any piece of equipment that is so large, complicated, and important, furnaces require annual maintenance. That’ not just a Raynor Electric recommendation, either: all furnace manufacturers recommend that you have some form of tune up service done on the appliance once a year to prevent break down, gauge safety levels, and maximize the efficiency of your unit. When was your last maintenance done?
When is it time to have your furnace replaced?
If you haven’t been maintaining your furnace properly, there are several features that might no longer be functional, thus requiring a replacement. Even if you have, though, furnaces do have a recommended lifespan that shouldn’t be exceeded. Think a furnace replacement is too expensive? Well, it’s really nothing in comparison to what you’re losing on each utility bill, and it will certainly not compare to the repair costs you will (or perhaps have already?) incurred by having to constantly replace a faulty furnace. Ultimately, having the replacement done before an emergency will actually save you money as well as prevent you the headache, discomfort, and inconvenience of having a broken furnace on the coldest week of the year — which is, of course, always when it happens.
Here are some signs that you should consider having a replacement done before you lose heating power in the middle of the cold South Jersey winters:
- Furnace is Over 20-30 Years Old– As we just mentioned, furnaces have a lifespan. If your furnace was in your home when you bought it two decades ago, you really need to have it replaced. If you haven’t been maintaining it for the last 10, it’s possible that you’re on the verge of a furnace disaster right now.
- Excessive Soot/Dust– If your furnace is putting out dust, rust, soot, dirt, or some other form of exhaust, you could be dealing with a filter failure.
- Visible Cracks or Corrosion– Having an old furnace with some impact of age damage isn’t just unsightly and inefficient, it’s a safety hazard. Carbon monoxide is the result of incomplete combustion, and a broken heat exchanger might release that CO into your home.
Protect your family’s health and save yourself some money by replacing your furnace in September, rather than December. You’ll never regret having a heating system that lasts you for many years to come and acting before there is a problem. Call Raynor Electric for an estimate now!
