Repair or Replace?

Of course, furnaces are not the only way to heat a space; your home could use radiant heating, heat pumps or even a wood-burning stove. But furnaces come in both gas and electric varieties, and tend to be the perfect way to heat a classic home thanks to lower initial cost and how quickly they can heat multiple spaces. But like any aspect of your HVAC system, things break down and need servicing, and no appliance lasts forever. Plus, you don't want to be left without heat in the cold winter months. What are the signs your furnace needs to be replaced? Below are a few things to keep an eye out for: if any of these appear, you'll know whether it's time to repair your furnace or start setting money aside for a replacement instead.

If your furnace isn't performing as it used to, that can be concerning. You'll be able to feel whether warm air is coming through the vents in different rooms in the home, and whether the air feels warm enough. If family members are constantly asking you to turn the heat up or are reaching for extra blankets, that indicates the furnace's failure to warm up. That could require a repair, so reach out to your local HVAC specialists (like our team at Abt).

If your HVAC system is functioning perfectly well, you might not even consider its age. But a typical furnace usually only lasts between 15 to 20 years. If you're approaching that 15-year line, it's a good idea to start setting funds aside for when to replace your furnace.

The summer and winter months normally put your air conditioner and furnace into high gear, so it's normal to see slightly higher energy costs on your monthly bills. What's abnormal is a sharp increase in energy costs year over year, or month over month. That's one of many signs that your furnace needs to be replaced—a total lack of efficiency. And your HVAC system will be overworking: doing more to produce less heat, even when you set your thermostat higher. The result is a higher cost to you and to the environment, so have experts like our team at Abt come out and diagnose the problem. A simple repair could fix it, or these may be signs your furnace needs to be replaced.

Ducts and ventilation are all part of your HVAC system—and how your hot air gets to you. If you're experiencing poor airflow, it's not something that should be ignored. If you're not feeling the same amount of hot air coming through the vents, your filter could be to blame. Filters can easily become clogged, and the solution is a replacement. But if the filter isn't the issue, the problem could be internal. There may be trouble with the blower that pushes hot air all throughout your home, or this may be a sign that now is when to replace the furnace.

With a furnace that's operating at its best, the appliance will steadily push hot air throughout every room in the home as desired. But if you find spaces that are unevenly heated, that are completely cool or where there's a wide temperature discrepancy, that's an issue. If many rooms are still receiving reliable heating, chances are that you'll just need some maintenance, like duct cleaning or an air filter replacement. Reach out to the experts for a diagnosis and learn whether it can be fixed or if these are signs your furnace needs to be replaced.

This is a classic indicator that your furnace needs to be replaced: constant switching on and off. If your system continues to cycle on and off or runs for a long time without reaching that set temperature, it's a bad sign. Reach out to the experts immediately to diagnose your issue and learn why your furnace won't stay on.

When it comes to protecting your furnace, nothing works harder than its air filter. Air filters trap dust, debris and other small particles that might otherwise circulate throughout your home. But if you're noticing a drop in air quality or a musty, burnt smell, the filter may be to blame. Swap out the old air filter for a new one (or have the professionals come and do it for you). However, the smell might be a larger issue, and it could have nothing to do with the filter at all.

If you notice a rotten egg smell in particular, call your HVAC specialists immediately. The issue could be a gas leak, and that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Banging, popping, scraping and grinding: if you hear these sounds, they're all signs your furnace needs to be replaced. The issue is almost always with internal parts, and whether the appliance needs to be taken apart and repaired depends on a few different factors. No matter what, eliminating the issues causing the popping and banging will be more involved than replacing a filter.

How do you know when to replace your furnace? If you see signs of rust, corrosion and other visible damage, these are the primary signs your furnace needs to be replaced. Rust corrodes metal structures, including your HVAC systems: the result could be more damaging than just a broken furnace—it's time to replace.

Our final tip: if you find that your furnace needs more and more repairs each year, you may be sinking investments into a dying appliance. Instead of continuing to call for more repairs, consider whether these repairs are signs your furnace needs to be replaced. Some repair and preventative work is normal, but if the furnace is often breaking down, that's an issue. A general rule is that if the cost of your repairs exceeds 50% of the cost of a new model, it makes more sense to upgrade and choose a new one.

Schedule Annual Checkups at Abt

Whether you're hoping to get a new furnace ahead of the winter season or are just now noticing some issues with your existing model, keeping an eye (and an ear) out for issues like the ones above can help you catch problems before they become unsolvable. No one wants to go out and buy space heaters when their furnace suddenly gives up. Or maybe you bought a furnace within the last few years and are hoping to use preventative maintenance to stretch your product's lifespan. Either way, it's a good idea to have your system checked up on once a year by certified specialists like our team at Abt. With scheduled checkups, you'll always be aware of signs your furnace needs to be replaced and you'll prevent some of the problems that can cut your appliance's life short. Fill out the form on our HVAC services page and our experts will get back to you quickly, or you can call our specialists at 800-860-3577.

Furnace Replacement FAQs

How often should I replace my furnace filter?

As a very general rule, most experts say to change your furnace filter every two to three months. To narrow down the suggestions: for 1- to 2-inch filters, some say to replace the filter every 30 to 90 days. For 3- to 4-inch filters, replace them every 6 to 9 months. For 5- to 6-inch filters, you can replace them every 9 to 12 months. That being said, you should replace your filter earlier if it looks visibly dirty.

When should I replace my furnace?

You should replace your furnace every 15 to 20 years at the maximum. After 10 years, it's a good idea to watch out for signs your furnace needs to be replaced.

Should I replace a 20-year-old furnace?

Absolutely. Your 20-year-old furnace could give out any day or be a danger to your home depending on the potential for gas leaks or other damage it could cause your HVAC system. And with a furnace of that age, you don't want it to fail in the middle of winter.