How much do you love your heater? If you’ve ever had your system die in the middle of winter, you know exactly how much you appreciate your furnace.
Modern-day heaters combined with well-insulated homes chase away the frost on wintry days. But, like everything, they grow old and wear out.
How do you know when you should start thinking about a replacement furnace service in Decatur, GA? Read on to learn the warning signs that you need an upgrade!
1. Old Age
During the winter, heaters run around the clock to keep your home toasty and warm. Unfortunately, after several winters of this, they start to break down and wear out.
If your heater is around 10 – 15 years old, you should start making room for a new one in your budget. Heaters that are well-cared-for can last longer, but it’s a good idea to be ready all the same. It’s possible for it to give out at any moment the older it gets.
2. It Doesn’t Work Right
Are you noticing cold spots in some areas of your home? Perhaps you hear strange popping, rattling, or clanking noises when the heater kicks on.
A properly working heater will evenly distribute warmed air throughout your home. Plus, a machine in good working order shouldn’t be making strange noises. If you notice anything off about your heater, take note and consider calling a trusted technician to diagnose the issue before it gets worse
3. High Repair Bills
A small repair bill here and there doesn’t mean that your heater is dying and needs to be replaced. It’s normal for small things to break for random reasons but a quick trip from a local technician is all you need to set things to right.
However, if your repair bills are too big, it’s is likely time to replace the system. But, how big is too big?
The rule of $5,000 is a great technique to figure this out. Multiply the cost of the repair by the age of your unit. If the result equals more than $5,000, it makes more sense to schedule a system replacement rather than opting to repair it.
4. Frequent Repairs
However, keep track of those repairs. Small repairs are to be expected, but they shouldn’t be frequent. Are you having to call in a technician as frequently as once per year? That’s too much — something is not right about your unit.
On top of the repair bills, you are probably spending more on energy bills as well. Poorly functioning units eat up more energy to produce the same amount of heat.
5. The Heater Doesn’t Respond
When you call your heater’s name (i.e. turn up the thermostat) you should always get a response. A machine in good working order will be quick to turn on and perform its function.
However, if your heater doesn’t respond at all, it’s almost assured that it’s time for a new one.
If you are noticing one or more of these issues, don’t wait. Make the winning call to American Comfort Heating and Cooling to schedule your system upgrade.