When Is The Best Time To Replace A Heating System?
Your heating system is the heart of your home during the winter months. It keeps your home comfortable, and also has a huge impact on your energy bills. If you have an old, inefficient heating system that isn’t getting the job done, it may be time to replace it. But when is the best time to replace a heating system?
At Broadley’s, we have replaced thousands of heating systems over the years. We’ve replaced furnaces, heat pumps, mini splits, you name it. Over the years we have learned not only the signs that indicate you need to replace soon, but also the best times of year to make the swap.
In this article, I will detail when the best time of year to replace your heating system is, and the signs that your heating system needs to be replaced soon. If you are having trouble with your heating system at the moment, give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online. One of the experts at Broadley’s will come take a look at your system, and give you options to make your home warm and cozy all winter long!
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The Signs Your Heating System Needs To Be Replaced
Some of the signs your heating system should be replaced are obvious, while others can fly under the radar a bit. We are going to go over some of the most common signs that your furnace is nearing the end of its life, and what you should do in that situation.
Your Home Isn’t Warm Enough
This is an obvious sign. If your home isn’t comfortable or warm enough, there could be an issue with your heating system. There are a few things to consider before you start shopping for a new furnace. First off, is the filter clogged? This could be preventing air from moving freely through your home.
If your filter is not clogged, but there’s still an issue with the heat, call in a professional to take a look. They may recommend service or a standard tune-up. They may also notice issues with your ductwork that could be causing the problem. A professional will be able to take a look at your HVAC system and let you know if there’s a problem that needs to be fixed, or it’s simply time to replace your heating system.
Your Heating Bills Are Unusually High
It’s natural for your energy bills to rise when you start using your heating system more frequently. As it gets colder, your furnace or heat pump is going to have to use more energy to keep the space warm, leading to increased energy costs.
BUT, if your energy bills are seeming a bit higher than they have in the past, your heating system could be the culprit. It’s not always obvious that your heating bills have gone up more than they should. We have a few recommendations:
- Compare your bills to last year
- Compare your bills to your neighbors
As long as the rates have not gone up significantly from the previous year, or the weather wasn’t severely different, this is usually a good indicator if your energy bills are unusually high. Lots of energy companies also offer comparisons to your energy efficient neighbors. Take a look and see how your energy use stacks up against people who live around you, in similar homes, dealing with this same weather.
If you find that your heating system is using more energy than it should be, sending your bills through the roof, it may be time to replace your heating system, Once again, we recommend calling your HVAC technician to take a look and see if your system needs a tune up to recover some efficiency, or if it needs to be replaced!
Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Going Off
This is a clear sign that there is a major problem! If your carbon monoxide detector is going off, open your windows and shut off the heating system. You may even want to consider leaving the house for a bit. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is created in the process of creating heat. If this gas is breathed in, it is poisonous, and can even cause death.
Call in a professional right away. There could be an issue with your exhaust pipes that usually push this gas outside. This can be a simple fix. There could also be a problem internally, such as a cracked heat exchanger. If this is the case, it either requires a pretty big fix, or a replacement. Either way, you should have a professional come take care of this right away!
Your System Requires Expensive/Frequent Repairs
If your heating system is breaking down frequently and needs to be repaired over and over, it’s probably time for a replacement. Rather than pouring money into a failing system, take that money and apply it towards a new heating system. The chances are, your old heating system that keeps breaking needs to be replaced soon anyway.
If the repair is very expensive, you should also consider a replacement. Usually once the repair is in the 4 figure range, you could start getting estimates for replacing. Yes, it will likely be more expensive than the repair, but you are also likely going to see lower energy bills, have improved peace of mind, and won’t have to worry about your new heater breaking down out of nowhere!
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How Long Does A Heating System Last?
Heating systems tend to last between 12-20 years, depending on how well they are cared for and maintained. All systems are different, and it’s hard to put an EXACT number on how many years your heating system is going to last. We can tell you this: When you take care of your heating system and have professional service performed annually, it’s going to last closer to the 20 year mark than the 12.
The truth is, once you get past the 10 year mark, just prepare to replace your heating system in the coming years. If your system is 13 years old and needs a repair, consider replacing it instead. Newer technology will likely do a better job of providing comfort, and help lower your energy bills.
When Should You Replace Your Heating System?
We recommend you replace your heating system in the fall. In lots of cases people replace their heating systems when they die. That makes sense, and we understand that this happens mostly in the dead of winter, when the systems are working the hardest.
If you have a choice and are being proactive about replacing your heating system, we would recommend doing it in the fall for a few reasons. For one, you are getting ahead of it before the winter, and will have superior comfort once the cold weather arrives.
Secondly, HVAC companies are less busy in the fall. During the middle of the winter, HVAC companies are dealing with dead heaters, repairs, service, etc. In the fall, there’s a bit more flexibility with the schedule. It also prevents you from having to live in a cold home with a broken down heater during the winter.
Replacing Your Heating System In South Jersey
If you think it’s time to replace the heating system in your South Jersey home, we can help you out! Broadley’s has been repairing and replacing heating systems in South Jersey for over 60 years. Give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online. One of our HVAC technicians can take a look at your furnace or heat pump and let you know if you should replace it or not.