An older furnace doesn’t always break down all at once. More often it just gets a little more expensive every winter. Here’s how to tell whether yours is quietly costing you more than a new one would.
1. Your gas bills keep climbing
If your bills rise year after year with no change in how you use your home, your furnace may be losing efficiency. Many older furnaces turn roughly 80% of their gas into heat; today’s high-efficiency models reach 95% or more. That difference shows up on every bill, all winter long.
2. You’re paying for repairs every season
One repair isn’t a reason to replace. But if you’re calling for repairs every winter, add up what you’ve spent in the last two or three years. A simple rule: multiply the repair price by the furnace’s age. If that’s over $5,000, replacement usually makes more sense. Read: Repair or replace your furnace this winter? →
3. Some rooms never get warm
Cold bedrooms and a hot living room can mean a worn-out blower, a furnace that was the wrong size from the start, or duct problems. A new, properly sized system often fixes all three.
4. It’s 15 years old or more
Most gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Past that, parts get harder to find and breakdowns get more likely, usually on the coldest nights.
5. You notice warning signs
Yellow burner flames, soot, a burning smell, or a carbon monoxide alarm are never things to wait on. Leave the house if you smell gas, and call for service.
The bottom line
If two or more of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting a price on a new system so you can compare. Here’s what a new furnace costs in Northeast Ohio, based on real installs.
Dee’s serves Brunswick, Brunswick Hills, Hinckley and Valley City with free estimates on new systems. See our Brunswick services → or call (330) 554-7015.