When Is It Time For A Heating System Replacement?

When an old heater starts acting up, most homeowners question whether they should repair or replace their furnace. When trying to make the decision, most homeowners get hung up on heating system replacement costs. Rather, they should think about the benefits that come with a replacement. According to the Department of Energy, the average lifespan of a heating system is 20 years. If your heater is 20 years old or close to it, it is time for a new heater. While it can be expensive to replace a heater, there are plenty of benefits of doing so.

When you replace your old, outdated heating system…

your heating costs will go down. Also, the home will be warmer and more comfortable. You won’t need to worry about an expensive and inconvenient breakdown in the middle of the winter.

Lawes Company, one of the leading HVAC companies, offers heating system replacements in Shrewsbury NJ and surrounding areas. There are many homeowners who don’t even realize that they need to replace their heating system. Some don’t realize it until they experience an expensive breakdown in the middle of the winter. Fortunately, this situation is avoidable. This is because your heating system will more than likely display clear signs ahead of time. In this article, you will learn a few telltale signs that it is time to replace your heater.

 

 

Frequent Repairs

One obvious sign that you need a heater replacement is when it is breaking down frequently. Over time, the cost of repairs can end up costing you more than half of the cost of replacing the heater. This is the best time to consider an upgrade. If you choose to repair your unit instead, make sure you find a reputable HVAC company to handle the job.

There are many homeowners who will keep having their heating system repaired over and over again. They do this to avoid the cost of buying a new one. When you spend more money to repair your system than what you would pay for an upgrade, then the repair isn’t worth it. Also, you should start shopping around for a new system when you are frequently experiencing breakdowns that require repair. If you need help, a reputable HVAC company can help you choose the best upgrade for your budget.

 

 

Expensive Heating Bills

When you are wondering “How efficient is a 20 year old furnace?”, then you may want to know that over time, heaters begin to lose their efficiency. This means that after 20 years, the heater will be inefficient and costly to operate. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), after two decades, the annual energy utilization efficiency (AFUE) of a heater drops by 78% or more. This is true even with regular maintenancee.

The AFUE is a system measures the efficiency of a heating system. The way that the system works is simple. When a furnace has an AFUE of 80%, it means that 80% of the energy used is actually heating the home. The other 20% goes to waste.

As the AFUE drops, your heating costs will increase.

The best way to keep heating costs low is to hire a professional HVAC tech to replace your old heater with a high-efficiency heater with an AFUE of 93% to 97%. Until a heater reaches this point, you should schedule annual heating tune-ups. This will make the heating system work as efficiently as possible.

Old Age

According to a study performed in 2007 by Bank of America and the National Association of Home Builders, the average lifespan of a heating system is 15 to 20 years. The study also found that the baseboards for hot water radiators last from 13 to 21 years.

Many techs will write the date on the heating unit when they install it. This is so that the homeowner will know when it is time to replace the system. If there is no date, the unit’s model and serial number will help. You can contact the manufacturer to get the manufacturer’s date.

Yellow Burner Flame

When a gas heater is functioning properly, it produces a blue flame. It will have shades of yellow at the tip and in the inner core of the flame. When the heater is not functioning properly, the flame will be mostly yellow. Also, it will emit high levels of carbon monoxide. This means that the family is in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you notice that your burner flame is yellow, you should contact a professional HVAC technician immediately. Other signs of carbon monoxide that include:

• Pipe corrosion
• Water leaks
• Excess condensation is cold areas
• Soot streaks around the unit

The best way to be safe is to install carbon monoxide detectors around the house. There should be one detector within 10 feet of every bedroom in the house. You should also make sure that your heater is in perfect working condition by scheduling annual furnace maintenance before each heating season.

 

Uneven Temperatures

When you are always adjusting the temperature on your thermostat to keep it comfortable in your home, then there is likely a problem with the heater. This will happen often when the heater is 20 years old or close to it. In some cases, it could be a faulty thermostat. However, it is possible that you need a heater upgrade. You should hire an HVAC tech to inspect the heater and determine whether or not a replacement is the best option when you deal with temperature issues.

Heating System Replacement Shrewsbury NJ

When you are looking for a professional HVAC company with knowledgeable and experienced HVAC contractors, be sure to contact Lawes Company. It is important to work with reputable contractors when making a decision on whether or not you need to replace your unit. This way, you know that you can trust their opinion and rest assured that you made the right decision.

Our technicians will properly diagnose the cause of your heating system’s issues…

and offer all of your available solutions. They will certainly let you know if it is worth replacing your unit or if you have the option to repair it. All of our estimates are free of charge. Be sure to call our office today to schedule an appointment.

 

 

Some of the areas we service include: Eatontown, Fort Monmouth, Oceanport, Shrewsbury and these zip codes: 07724, 07703, 07757, 07702 as well as all surrounding areas in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!