5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace in an Older Stark County Home

If your home is like most in Stark County, it likely has a furnace supplying its heat. Gas furnaces are still the most popular heating system in the rest of the US, too.

However, for all the benefits offered by furnaces, they do wear out. When that happens, you will find your old furnace not heating your home. To prevent that, it’s a good idea to learn the signs your furnace needs replacing. Here are five of them you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Inconsistent Heating or Cold Spots

If your furnace is the right size for your home, it will provide even heat in every room. If your furnace has stopped working, you might notice cold spots around your home. It isn’t uncommon for furnaces to lose some capacity due to wear and tear over the years. But when they become pronounced enough to affect your comfort, it’s time for a new furnace.

2. Rising Energy Bills Despite Normal Usage

One common trait of older homes is a poorly sealed air envelope. That can make home heating efficiency a challenge to begin with. The last thing you need in that situation is a furnace operating at declining efficiency. If your furnace uses more energy than usual, think about replacing it.

3. Frequent Repairs or Breakdowns

Did you know that most furnace breakdowns happen in the last two years of use? So, if your furnace seems to need repair more often lately, it could be trying to tell you something. Your furnace usually shouldn’t need more than one major repair each year. If yours needs repairs often, consider investing your money in a replacement instead.

There are some other useful ways you can decide whether to replace vs. repair your furnace. If your old furnace needs a repair that costs more than 50% of a replacement, choose the latter. You can also apply the $5,000 rule to make a wise choice. Multiply the projected repair cost by the age of your furnace. If the answer tops $5,000, a replacement is a better investment.

4. Strange Noises or Odors

When you turn on your home’s furnace for the first time each year, it may produce a slight burning smell. It’s just dust burning off the furnace parts, so it’s not a problem. The smell should clear within a few minutes. However, if your furnace emits any strange smells at other times, don’t ignore them. The same logic applies to any unusual sounds you hear from your furnace. Strange sounds and smells can suggest furnace problems. Some of these issues may be safety risks. They may also foreshadow system failures, so you might want to consider a new furnace at that point.

5. Your Furnace Is 15+ Years Old

The average furnace will last approximately 15 years with proper maintenance. If yours is at or above that age, it may be on borrowed time. It likely won’t be long before you find your old furnace is not heating your home any longer. Replacing your old furnace is a smart choice. It can help you avoid a heating emergency. A new furnace will give you peace of mind and a new warranty to protect its components.

Why Replacement Is Smarter Than Waiting

We provide emergency services for unexpected heating failures, but we hope you won’t need them. Emergency services can be stressful. Even the tiniest of signs your furnace needs replacing may cost more than you expect. It’s a good idea to replace your furnace before it stops working. It gives you the chance to weigh your options without any pressure. Otherwise, a failure may force you to choose the furnace that is available rather than the one you want. It also lets you schedule your replacement when it’s convenient for you.

How Shanklin Can Help With Your Upgrade

Shanklin Heating, Air Conditioning and Electric is the place to turn when you need a furnace replacement in Stark County. Our technicians have experience when in the conundrum of replace vs. repair of a furnace. They know how to calculate your home’s heating needs so you have home heating efficiency. We sell and install top-quality furnaces from leading brands. This gives you confidence in your investment. We can even offer financing options on approved credit. This will help you afford your furnace replacement in Stark County.

Schedule a furnace evaluation with Shanklin today and stay warm all season in Stark County.