How to Know When to Replace the Furnace in Your Crown Point Home

Crown Point regularly experiences freezing temperatures during the winter. Often, it goes below freezing, making it very uncomfortable if you don’t have a functioning furnace.

If your furnace is getting outdated or already failing, you should ideally replace it before winter. If it fails during winter, you will have to pay more for emergency repairs. You will likely pay more for energy bills because your furnace is less efficient.

This guide can help determine when to replace your furnace and explore energy-efficient options.

Don’t wait until your furnace fails in the middle of winter. Contact Summers PHC today for an expert furnace assessment and inspection. Get a FREE service call with any paid repair. Get this limited-time offer!

Do You Need a New Furnace?

At this point, you may wonder if you really need a new furnace. After all, getting it fixed is going to be faster and cheaper, right?

Unfortunately, most of the time, it is far more expensive to keep fixing a furnace instead of replacing it. This is because your furnace will keep aging, and as it does, more parts will start to wear down or malfunction.

The following are the top signs that it may be time for a new furnace.

• Age of your furnace. This is one of the most important indicators that a replacement is due. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, it is likely not operating as well as it should. It will also be more prone to breaking down. Even if your furnace is not 15 years old yet, keeping an eye on its performance is crucial. If you keep having to call a repair technician, you should consider replacing the system.
• Unexplained increase in energy bills. If you are not using your furnace more often than usual, but your energy bills keep increasing, the system struggles to perform. If you do not get it replaced, you will have to pay more for your energy bills. You will also not have sufficient heating throughout your Crown Point home.
• Yellow pilot light. If you notice the pilot light of your gas furnace changes color from blue to yellow, it could mean increased carbon monoxide production. This can potentially become a dangerous situation, which means you should strongly consider replacing your furnace.
• Uneven heating. When your furnace works well, your home is evenly heated throughout. As your furnace begins to fail, you will notice more cold spots. This problem is not going to go away on its own. You will have to do yet another repair or replace the unit.
• Weird noises. If your furnace makes strange noises, it could mean serious problems with the internal components or gas pressure. You might also smell unusual odors. In these cases, contact a professional HVAC technician immediately. While waiting for them to arrive, stay outside and do not return to the house until it is safe.

Energy-Efficient Furnace Options

If you decide to replace your furnace, you can choose from several energy-efficient options. Modern furnaces are designed to use less energy. This means your heating bills will be lower, and you’ll have a lower carbon footprint.

You can choose from the following options.

• Gas furnaces. Many homeowners in Crown Point prefer gas furnaces because they are highly efficient. Some models can easily achieve an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90%-98%. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficiently your furnace will convert fuel into heat.
• Heat pumps. You could also replace your traditional furnace with a modern heat pump. These pumps are becoming increasingly popular as an energy-efficient alternative. Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air or ground and then using it to warm your home. If you invest in a dual-fuel heat pump, you can enjoy exceptional efficiency during Crown Point’s cold winters.
• Smart thermostats. If you decide on a furnace, pair it with a smart thermostat. This will help you improve energy efficiency even further by adjusting temperatures automatically.

Why It Is a Good Idea to Replace Your Furnace

The most obvious benefit of replacing a failing furnace is saving money on monthly heating costs. You will also make it more comfortable for yourself and your family during winter because you will have consistent heating and no cold spots in your home.

Even better, you will not have to pay for constant repairs. New furnaces require minimal maintenance and won’t need constant fixing.

Moreover, your home will increase in value (if you want to sell). Home buyers want to save money wherever possible. If they don’t have to replace a furnace for several years, it will be an excellent selling point for your home.

Not to mention that you will have far better indoor air quality, too. This is a great benefit if you or your family have respiratory issues or allergies.

Preparing for Your Furnace Replacement

When you have selected a contractor and decided on a furnace, you can prepare for the installation by:

• Scheduling an assessment. An HVAC technician will evaluate your home’s heating needs and advise you on furnace size.
• Clearing the area where the furnace will be installed. You should move furniture or potential obstacles near the furnace location.
• Planning around the installation time. If you work from home, you will be interrupted for about 4 to 8 hours, depending on how complex the installation is.
• Remember to ask about warranties and maintenance plans. Regular maintenance will extend the lifespan of your new furnace.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling Is Your Reliable Furnace Installer

Summers PHC has served the Crown Point community for many years. If you need a furnace inspection, maintenance, or installation, we can help.

For expert furnace services, call 219-797-6150 or book your required service online. We also offer local specials you can take advantage of.