Ohio winters are no cakewalk.
We count on the furnaces in our homes to keep our families warm and comfortable during the bleak, gray days of seemingly endless cold. Like any other mechanical system, your home’s heating system requires routine maintenance to keep in running at an optimum level. Anything mechanical, with moving parts, will definitely not last forever and must be replaced. Eventually.
Following are some telltale signs that it’s time to replace your furnace with a new system.
1. Age of Your Furnace > 15 Years
If your furnace is ten years or older, it is consuming much more energy that a new, high-efficiency system. If it’s 15 years old, it’s probably going to need more repairs and tender loving care than a new one. Equipment manufacturers have made some amazing strides in efficiency in that time. So just on the subject of age alone, you should consider replacing your furnace to save one monthly energy bills.
2. Unknown Noises Emanating from Your Heating System
We’ve all seen the cliché movie scenes where the kid is afraid of the basement. And when confronted with having to visit the basement, they always depict the furnace as an evil, fire-breathing monster with glowing eyes. Well, furnaces have moving parts like fan motors and burners, so some noise is expected. But if you’re hearing grinding noises, a high-pitched whine, loud “clunks” or hammering sounds, it’s not Freddie Kruger… it’s the furnace probably due for an upgrade.
3. Your Furnace is Working Hard, but It’s Not Maintaining the Desired Temperature
If the temperature in your room doesn’t match the temperature setting on your thermostat (in other words, it’s chilly in the house), it could possibly be that your furnace just can’t keep up anymore. Or, it’s possible the pilot light has extinguished. Other possible reasons the furnace isn’t heating like it should could be clogged vents or a weak or burned out motor. Get it inspected immediately by a professional, and if the repair cost is more than 50 percent of a new one, upgrade to a new furnace.
4. Your Heating Bills Are Through the Roof
If your energy bills feel like they might require you to refinance your home to make the payment, it might mean that your old, worn out furnace is working overtime. And using too much gas or electric in the process. A simple answer is that your system needs some routine maintenance. The ultimate solution is to replace the furnace with a new, high-efficiency unit.
5. You Have Your Furnace Repair Guy on Speed Dial
If you know your HVAC guy on a first-name basis because he pays visits to your home so frequently, it might be time to think replacement. A rule of thumb is: if your furnace needs a repair two months in a row, or more than three times in six months, time to give up the ghost and invest in a new system.
We LOVE it when we get to know our customers personally. But we really don’t want that kind of relationship!
FREE ESTIMATES for REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT
If you’re not sure your old system is ready for a replacement, give Dor-Mar Heating & Air Conditioning a call. We’ll meet you at your home, take some measurements, and provide you with a written estimate for a new system. There’s no obligation and we can visit the same day to get you an estimate quickly. Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority, and we’re always on time for projects. Schedule an appointment with us today by using our online contact form or call one of our seven neighborhood offices.
NEWARK 740.345.6639 • COLUMBUS 614.238.6689 • DUBLIN 614.545.8939 • REYNOLDSBURG 614.365.1579 • WESTERVILLE 614.381.1540 • GROVE CITY 614.595.3098 • ZANESVILLE 740.454.2420
Dor-Mar…Your Climate Hero!
