When to Replace the Furnace in Your Anderson Home

The cold season hit Indiana with force in January 2025 as a polar vortex brought extremely low temperatures and snow throughout the state.

If you are a homeowner in Anderson, you would have felt the plummeting temperature and likely sheltered indoors with your heating system.

Your furnace is one of the most important components of your home during the cold months. It keeps every room warm and comfortable no matter how harsh it gets outside.

But furnaces do not last forever. If you have a failing or outdated unit, you may have a breakdown on your hands in the heart of winter. Even worse, your furnace may become a safety hazard.

Recognizing the signs of a failing furnace is crucial so you can be proactive in replacing it. The following should lead you to consider a replacement before the unit breaks down completely.

Book a furnace inspection with Summers PHC and get peace of mind this winter. You get a FREE service call with any paid repair! (Limited-time offer only).

Your Home Is Not Consistently Heated

A well-functioning furnace heats every room evenly. If you find cold spots or your furnace begins to short cycle, one or more components are not working properly. If you ignore these signs, the furnace will become less efficient.

Sometimes, repairs are impossible, especially if the unit is very old. In this instance, replacing a failing furnace would make more sense. It will most likely cost you less to replace than constant repairs.

Your Furnace Is 15-20 Years Old

Depending on how well your furnace has been maintained, it should last up to 20 years. If your furnace is between 15 and 20 years old, it is time to think about replacing it.

Even if the furnace’s components all work, the unit will inevitably become less efficient over time. It will use more energy to heat your home, pushing up your utility bills.

It is also possible that you will not find replacement parts for your unit, especially if it is outdated. In this case, replacing instead of repairing it is the better option. A new, more energy-efficient unit will curb utility bills, offering long-term savings.

If you are unsure how old your furnace is, look for the manufacturer’s label inside the access panel. The serial number should include the production date. If you cannot find it, your local HVAC professional should be able to assist you in dating your unit.

The Unit Makes Strange Noises

Your furnace should not make any sounds apart from a low hum when it’s on. If you hear clanging, chirping, or rattling, there is a problem. Clanging, especially if it does not go away, usually means an issue with the pipes.

Noisy rattling could indicate a more serious problem, like a crack or hole in the heat exchanger or blower. A chirping noise may mean something has gone wrong with the mounting plate. Banging sounds likely indicate faulty gas pressure.

If you suspect a gas pressure issue, do not try to fix the problem on your own. If you disassemble your furnace incorrectly, you could leach toxic gas into your home. Instead, call a professional HVAC contractor for help.

Strong Smells Coming From the Furnace

You may smell the dust burning when you turn on your furnace for the first time in a year. That smell will fade away and is usually nothing to worry about.

However, if you turn on your furnace and smell burning plastic or unpleasant chemical smells, the unit has big problems. Turn off the power and call an HVAC professional immediately.

You have a gas leak if you smell rotten eggs at any point. You must leave your house right away, along with your family and any pets you have.

Call the gas company for help, and do not return inside until the leak is fixed. Leave the gas turned off until an HVAC contractor has assessed the damage to your furnace.

Increasingly Poor Air Quality

A furnace is not only integral in heating your home, but it also helps regulate the indoor air quality. It does this by filtering out allergens, dust, and humidity. An aging or broken unit cannot do this efficiently. This means you will have more dust accumulating in your home.

The more dust you have, the worse your allergies will become. You could experience dry or irritated skin and respiratory issues.

It is best to replace a malfunctioning unit with a new one. New furnaces come with built-in humidifiers and advanced air filtration features. These features will improve your home’s comfort and air quality.

Visible Rust, Cracks, or Corrosion

Regular furnace maintenance helps detect physical damage. If there is rust, corrosion, or cracks in your unit’s heat exchanger, it may be close to failing. Replacing the furnace before there is a dangerous carbon monoxide leak via the cracks is crucial.

If you do not replace it, it is also likely that the corroded components will continue to work inefficiently and eventually fail. If there is visible rust, there is moisture damage, which will continue to weaken the unit.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Activates

If the cracks in your furnace remain undetected, there is a high risk of a carbon monoxide leak. If your CO detector activates, you must leave the house immediately and call 911.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, headaches, and confusion.

Summers PHC Can Help You Protect Your Family This Winter

Do not put your family at risk due to a failing furnace. Let Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling help you inspect and replace your furnace, ensuring your family’s safety.Book a furnace inspection, maintenance, or repair today and save with our local specials. Call 765-444-6175 or book a service online.