Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Your 25-Year-Old Furnace?

The average furnace has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years. If yours is 25 years old, you have a great heater, but it is more than likely at the end of its lifespan. The exact amount of years you get out of any furnace depends on things like routine maintenance and the type of fuel it uses. When talking about a 25-year-old furnace, it’s more than likely time for a replacement. You’re probably calling us more frequently for our furnace repair service, and you may be noticing that your home isn’t as comfortable as you would like. This is due to its diminishing efficiency.

Understanding Furnace Efficiency

A new furnace installation will be much more efficient than your current 25-year-old model. Like any heating system, your furnace is experiencing more wear and tear over time. This makes it harder for it to provide you with the comfort you want. As a result, you’ll find areas of your home that are colder than others, and you’ll have a higher monthly energy bill.

Advancements in technology make today’s furnaces more efficient than ones from 25 years ago. We measure the efficiency with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. This rating is much lower with today’s furnaces than ever before. That 25-year-old furnace you have is likely wasting energy, which means it’s costing you more to operate than a replacement would.

A modern furnace will help lower your monthly energy bills as well as your carbon footprint. Older furnaces also have trouble distributing the heat they produce evenly throughout your home. This is another reason why you’ll find that some rooms are colder than others.

Signs That You Need a New Furnace

Fluctuating Temperatures

Fluctuating temperatures could be due to ductwork issues or a malfunctioning blower motor. This may be why you’re noticing those cold spots. Your 25-year-old furnace may also have poor airflow, which further adds to the uneven heat.

Strange Sounds

Loose parts will cause a rattling sound, while popping and banging indicate problems with the heat exchanger or burner. Squealing could be an issue with the fan belt or the blower motor. If you hear buzzing and humming, there are probably structural problems such as leaks or cracks.

Visible Damage

Cracks and rust are warning signs that you should consider a new furnace. If you have a gas furnace, the pilot light can indicate when it’s time for a new one. It’ll be yellow instead of blue. This is because it’s not burning the fuel properly, which results in a safety hazard.

Would Repairs Be Enough?

It may seem like it would be easier and cheaper to have us repair your current furnace if it’s experiencing any of these complications, but that’s not always the best solution. Once a furnace is 20 years old or older, we consider its condition before recommending either repairs or for a replacement furnace to be installed.

Issues like poor indoor air quality or a bad heat exchanger often indicate that the furnace is at the end of its life expectancy. We’ll provide you with honest advice. If you’re keeping up with routine maintenance, have few issues, and don’t need extensive repairs, you may be alright with your current furnace for a little bit longer. Keep in mind that you still need to be preparing for a replacement shortly at this age.

Think about how much repairs will cost before making a final decision. Compare that amount to the price of a new model. If the repairs are going to be at least 50% of the cost of a new furnace, a new one will be a better investment. Factor in a new furnace’s energy efficiency too. You’ll save money on monthly energy bills with a furnace replacement.

Safety is another major concern, especially if you have a gas furnace. You don’t want to take chances when it comes to the risk of a carbon monoxide leak.

Benefits of a New Furnace

Comfort

You’ll eliminate cold spots because a new furnace will distribute heat evenly throughout your home. You’ll also have better control over the temperature in your house, and it’ll likely be quieter than your current heating system.

Energy Efficiency and Convenience

You’ll find your energy bill will be lower. New furnaces are also more eco-friendly than previous models. You even have the option of smart home integration with many brands. You’ll be able to control your furnace remotely with your mobile devices.

Safety and Other Considerations

Older furnaces run the risk of cracking and leaking. This is a safety risk you won’t have with a new one. You’ll also enjoy fewer repairs.

In addition, you’ll have better indoor air quality, and a furnace replacement will increase the value of your home. A new heating system will be quite attractive to prospective buyers.

Your Furnace Replacement Options

You have many decisions to make when it comes to replacing your 25-year-old furnace. We’ll help you with this important decision so that you have a heating system that keeps you comfortable while fitting nicely into your budget.

The first decision to make is the fuel source. Gas is efficient and a popular choice among homeowners. Electric is great if you don’t have access to natural gas. Oil, which is another option for those without natural gas, is functional but less efficient.

There are different types of furnaces, too. A conventional furnace is a basic heating system that’s suitable for all climates. A heat pump is excellent when it comes to providing heating and cooling in milder climates. You also have the option of a hybrid system. This one combines a heat pump with a gas furnace for areas with extreme temperatures.

You also need to select the right size furnace for your home. One that’s too big will cycle on and off frequently without being able to provide the temperature you desire. A furnace that’s too small will struggle to keep up with your heating demands.

When it comes to all of these options, we’ll help by assessing your home. We look at your current fuel type and will discuss any changes you may want to make. Our team also considers the size of your home and the warmth you desire before making our recommendation. We want to ensure that you have a new furnace that you’ll be completely happy with.

Your Anaheim Furnace Installation Experts

In addition to expert furnace installations, we offer quality repair services for your heating system. Our team will ensure the reliability of your new furnace with our routine maintenance as well. We offer all of these same great services for your cooling needs. This includes HVAC zoning with our mini-split systems.

Our concern for your home’s comfort doesn’t stop there. We have a variety of indoor air quality solutions, including air scrubbers and filters. Our team even provides asbestos removal, duct cleaning, and duct replacement. Contact Associated Heating & Air in Anaheim today for more information.