Replacing the Furnace in Your Chesterton Home

Chesterton is no stranger to freezing winters, considering it gets lake-effect snow. If you have a home here, you want to protect your family against the cold with a reliable furnace.

A furnace that works properly is not a luxury but a must-have. Unfortunately, your furnace will not last forever. As your heating system gets older, it will work less efficiently. This could result in higher energy costs or a complete breakdown.

At this point, you have to weigh the pros and cons of replacing your existing furnace. Do you want to keep paying for repairs and hope your unit does not break down? Or do you want to invest in a new furnace that gives you excellent heating and saves you money?

These tell-tale signs should convince you to lean towards a new furnace in 2025.

The Summers PHC team knows how crucial a properly functioning furnace is in winter. Whether you need minor repairs or a full upgrade, we can help. If you pay for any repair, you get a FREE service call. (Limited-time offer only).

You Called an HVAC Technician More Than Twice in One Year

If you have already paid for two call-outs and it looks like you are going to have to get a technician for another repair, it is time to replace your furnace. If you do not get a new furnace, your existing one will continue to decline until it stops working.

Moreover, if you invest in a new unit, you will only pay the upfront costs and not have to worry about frequent repairs (which likely cost more).

There Is Rust in the Furnace

You should visually inspect your furnace regularly. You will miss warning signs like cracks and rust if you don’t. If you notice these issues, your furnace may have a structural problem. In this case, you should replace it instead of repairing it for safety reasons.

You Need More Rooms Heated

If you recently renovated or expanded your Chesterton home, your existing furnace will probably not meet your additional heating demands. This means it is time to upgrade to a bigger and more powerful system.

Your Rooms Are Suddenly Cold or Too Hot

Have you ever walked through your house in winter and felt too hot in one room but too cold in another? This could indicate that your furnace struggles to maintain the right temperature throughout the house. It could also mean that the system cannot distribute heat evenly.

In most instances, finding a replacement would be the better option rather than trying to find and fix the issue.

The Furnace Pilot Light Is Yellow

A furnace pilot light should be blue. Sometimes, when it’s trying to ignite, it may turn yellow before returning to blue. When this happens, it means a temporary lack of oxygen is reaching the flame.

Dirty air intake valves and inefficient burning can also cause a yellow pilot light. Unfortunately, the problem can be much more serious. Yellow flames often indicate carbon monoxide production because of incomplete combustion.

Do not try to figure out the cause of a yellow pilot light alone. If your furnace has a yellow pilot light, turn it off immediately and contact a professional HVAC technician.

If your furnace poses a risk to your family because of a gas or carbon monoxide leak, you must evacuate the house while you wait for assistance.

Your Furnace Is Old

The furnace in your Chesterton home will not make it far past 20 years, even if it gets past 15. If your furnace is around this age and experiencing a lot of malfunctions, you must seriously consider replacing it.

Strange Smells Are Coming From Your Furnace

Generally speaking, there should be no strong smells emanating from your furnace. If you smell something burning when you turn it on, it may be the dust burning off. If the smell does not go away, it could mean your furnace is overheating.

Musty smells likely indicate mold or mildew growing in the humidifier or ductwork. If this is the case, you should also consider replacing your furnace. It may cost much more to rid the unit of mold than to replace it.

Most importantly, if you smell sulfur or rotten eggs, turn off the furnace and leave your home immediately. These smells are typically signs of a gas leak, which is an emergency. Wait for emergency services and the gas company to give the all-clear before you go back inside.

Why It Is a Good Idea to Invest in a New Furnace

There are many benefits to upgrading your furnace. One of the most important benefits is saving money on heating. You may also get a rebate from your utility company if you upgrade to an energy-efficient system.

Even better, you will avoid a highly inconvenient mid-winter emergency because your newly installed furnace will not suddenly break down. Replacing your furnace before the dead of winter will help ensure your family’s comfort all season.

Maintaining Your New Furnace

Once your new furnace is installed, you should maintain it. Change the air filter regularly and listen for any strange sounds from the unit. Ensure the vents are clean and check the pilot light for issues.

More importantly, schedule regular checkups or maintenance with a professional HVAC company.

Summers PHC Can Help You Keep Your Home Comfortable All Winter Long

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling proudly serves Chesterton homeowners with professional furnace inspection, maintenance, and installation services. Our skilled technicians can help you keep your home comfortable throughout the coldest months of the year.

Find out more by calling 219-797-6122 or booking a service online. Check out our current local specials and get more value for your money.