The most obvious sign that your furnace needs replacing is when it is not working properly. Less obvious, but just as important, is determining whether or not it has become inefficient due to its age. If your system doesn’t blow sufficient hot air when the furnace is on, or cold air when the A/C is turned on, you will most likely need to look into replacement. If, however, the unit does not turn on at all, it could be as simple as only needing to change out the thermostat. A service call from your HVAC technician will be necessary to make this determination.
If you notice suddenly spiking energy costs on your bill, which are not related to a recent price hike, your furnace’s efficiency may well be compromised. A visit from a service professional may be in order. A trained technician can analyze your energy usage, discuss with you the efficiency of your current unit, and estimate the expected long-term savings of installing a new furnace.
As technologies have advanced and new energy standards have been implemented, the overall efficiency of HVAC equipment has greatly improved. Thus, newer furnaces are more efficient than older ones. If your furnace is 15 years old, despite the fact that it still may be churning out hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer, chances are it is keeping your home energy costs unnecessarily high. The current rule of thumb is to assess the efficiency and consider upgrading any furnace more than 10 years old. Additionally, efficiency standards were raised in 1992 and again in 2005. HVAC systems which pre-date these changes are most likely less efficient, and you would see long-term cost benefits from replacing your system.
To to schedule a consultation with a service professional in the Charlotte Metro Area, or for more information related to furnace replacement or your home comfort needs, contact us at Acosta Heating and Cooling.