A working furnace is crucial to have a warm and cozy indoor climate, particularly during severe winters. But as with all other home equipment, furnaces also have their lifespan. To avoid sudden furnace breakdowns, high energy costs, and inadequate heating, understanding when to get a new furnace installation service can be a savior.

Through this guide, we will analyze the most significant signs that would tell you when it's time for a new heating installation service. Here we have covered almost all the important factors to consider without any delay.

  1. Age of Your Furnace

The average life of a furnace is 15 to 20 years. If your furnace is nearing or has passed this point, it may be time to consider a new one. Older furnaces are less efficient and more prone to malfunction, and this can increase heating costs over time.

How to Find Your Furnace's Age?

  • Check the owner's manual or look for a sticker on the unit.
  • Locate the serial number and check the manufacturing date.
  • If unsure, call Glenview heating services for a professional evaluation.
  1. Higher Energy Bills

A furnace that must work harder to maintain the specified temperature uses more energy. If your heating expenditures have steadily increased despite typical consumption, your furnace may be losing efficiency. Regular Downers Grove heating maintenance can help extend its life, but if the prices continue to rise, a replacement may be the better option.

  1. Frequent Repairs

If you are forced to call furnace repair more than once a year, it can be cheaper overall to replace the unit. Fixing the equipment can become so expensive, financially it makes better sense to just buy a new system.

  • Compare Repair Costs versus Replacement Costs
  • Repair costs over 50% of the cost of a new furnace should have it replaced.
  • Recurring breakdowns signal an old system that cannot work as it should.
  1. Inconsistent Heating and Temperature Swings

A well-functioning furnace should warm your business or home uniformly. If there are hot spots and cold spots, your furnace is probably struggling to operate properly. Inefficient airflow, leaking ducts, or an aging system may produce these imbalances.

  1. Strange Noises and Odors

Unusual sounds such as banging, rattling, or squealing can indicate mechanical issues. While some sounds may be caused by minor issues, repetitive loud sounds usually indicate large component failure. Additionally, repetitive moldy, smoky, or gas-like smells could indicate severe safety concerns, which should be taken care of instantly by a professional.

  1. Excessive Dust and Indoor Air Quality Issues

A dysfunctional furnace can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. Sudden dust buildup, allergen growth, or dry air may be because an old furnace is no longer able to filter the air as well as before. Replace with a new model with better filtration technology to keep your air quality in check.

  1. Signs of Rust or Cracks in Sight

Physical breakdown through rust, crack, or corrosion on your furnace can mirror structural decay. In particular, crack in the heat exchanger may be an extremely perilous indicator of leaks from carbon monoxide, which could endanger your household. Wears and tears can be observed visibly and reported to a heating installation company promptly.

  1. Your Furnace Features an Older Pilot Light

Older furnaces that have a standing pilot light (a continuously lit flame) are far less efficient than new furnaces that have electronic ignition. If your furnace has a pilot light, replacing it with a new, energy-efficient system can save substantial energy and improve performance.

  1. Short Cycling (Frequent On-and-Off Cycling)

Short cycling happens when your furnace switches on and off repeatedly without finishing a complete heating cycle. Short cycling can be due to:

  • A faulty thermostat
  • Overheating because of clogged filters
  • A furnace that is sized incorrectly
  • If this does not correct the problem, it may be time to replace it entirely.
  1. Your Home or Business Is Expanding

If you've added new rooms or expanded your property, your existing furnace may no longer be sufficient to heat the entire space effectively. Commercial AC services in Elk Grove Village recommend evaluating your heating system's capacity to ensure it meets the needs of your growing space. 

Choosing the Right Heating Installation Service

When it's time for a furnace replacement, selecting a reliable heating installation company is the key. Search for experienced workers with:

  • Residential and commercial heating installation experience
  • Good customer references and online reviews
  • Valid licensing and insurance
  • Energy-efficient heating system solutions

Final Thoughts: When to Replace Your Furnace?

Detecting the warning signals of a broken furnace will help you save yourself costly repairs and bad heat from a broken furnace. If your heating is often going out, the bills are going through the roof, or it is one-sided as in one part of the house it is too warm and another too cold — call for a new heating installation service.

Recommendation: Good Downers Grove heating maintenance can prolong the life of your furnace but if your furnace cannot be repaired, it will provide better comfort and efficiency to upgrade to a newer system.

Take Action Today

If you believe your furnace is close to the end of its life, don't wait until it completely breaks down. Have one of your reputable Glenview heating services professionals come out and check it to advise on the next step for your home or business. Taking preventative measures will ensure a warm, safe, and energy-efficient environment for years to come.