As we start to transition into warmer weather, your focus will likely be on your air conditioner, but it’s also a good time to reflect on your furnace’s performance over the last year to determine if it can make it through another winter. Here are a few signs that it might be time to replace your ageing furnace before next winter.
Ageing
While every furnace has a slightly different lifespan, and ultimately it depends on how it’s been maintained and used over the years, a furnace that is 10-years-old or older is considered to be ageing. The reason 10 years is considered to be the ageing benchmark is that most furnaces have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years before they break down or begin to malfunction. The technology being used in furnaces manufactured today is also far beyond what was available 10 years ago, which means even if your system isn’t malfunctioning, it could be costing you far more to heat your home than it should. If your furnace is ageing, and you replace it before next winter, you can enjoy the benefits of reduced utility bills and increased home comfort before the arrival of the first cold front.
High Utility Bills
One of the first signs most homeowners notice that it might be time to replace their furnace before next winter is unusually high utility bills. You will inevitably see a slight increase from year to year as the price per kilowatt-hour increases, but if your bills are increasing beyond that, it might be a good idea to replace your furnace before next winter. These increases are likely a sign that your heating system is becoming less efficient over time due to wear and tear, and standard degradation. You could invest in repairs, but it’s usually more cost-effective to replace your system during the off-season so that you can enjoy all of the benefits of a high-efficiency furnace for the next winter.
Constant Repairs
Even if you stay on top of your HVAC system’s maintenance, over time the internal mechanisms in your system will wear and degrade. This can lead to malfunctions, inefficiency, and total breakdowns in extreme cases. If you are having to frequently pay out of pocket for repairs, you should consider taking the time to replace your furnace before next winter to avoid wasting money and getting left without heat in the event of a malfunction. In addition to the peace of mind of knowing your system can make it through even the coldest nights, you’ll also save a substantial amount of money on repairs and your monthly bills.
Has the time come to replace your ageing furnace?
Team Harding has the equipment and expertise to take your home comfort to the next level!
Team Harding has been proudly serving Ottawa’s HVAC needs since 1994. Our team of licensed technicians strives to provide our clients with reliable service and equipment.
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