7 Signs Your Furnace Is Due for Replacement

A furnace that’s on its way out usually drops hints first. Catching them early lets you plan a replacement on your schedule — not during the first deep freeze of the winter.

What to watch for

1. Age. Furnaces don’t last forever. As a unit ages, efficiency tends to drop and breakdowns become more frequent. If yours is well into its expected lifespan, it’s worth planning ahead.
2. Rising energy bills. A furnace that’s losing efficiency has to run longer to keep your home warm, which can show up as higher heating costs without a change in the weather.
3. Uneven heating. Rooms that never quite warm up — or hot-and-cold spots around the house — can point to a furnace (or ductwork) that’s no longer keeping up.
4. Frequent repairs. When service calls start stacking up, the cost of repairs can begin to rival the value of a new, efficient system.
5. Strange noises. Banging, rattling or persistent humming are signs of components wearing out.
6. Short cycling. A furnace that turns on and off rapidly is working inefficiently and may be improperly sized or failing.
7. Poor air quality or excess dust. An aging system can struggle to filter and circulate air effectively.

Planning a replacement

If several of these sound familiar, it’s a good time to get an assessment. A proper load calculation ensures the replacement is sized correctly for your home, and choosing a high-efficiency model can help keep operating costs down. Replacing on your own timeline — rather than in an emergency — also gives you room to compare options and take advantage of any available rebates.