How Often Should I Replace My Heating System?
Now, in the middle of winter in Massachusetts, we hope your heating system is up to par and keeping you cozy! But, if it’s not—it’s never a bad idea to upgrade. Upgrading your heating system to a high-efficiency replacement comes with many benefits, including lower heating bills and cleaner indoor air. When is the right time to upgrade your heating system? If your heater isn’t requiring many repairs or displaying any tell-tale signs that it’s near failure, 15 years is generally a good time to replace it. However, if your heater is not that old but is constantly breaking down, needing repairs, producing strange odors and sounds, or worse, then it’s likely time for a replacement. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s a sure-fire indication that it’s time for a replacement.
Top Signs It’s Time for a Heating System Replacement
- Dusty or Dry Air: Have you thought about your home’s indoor air quality lately? Excess amounts of dust or drastic changes in air humidity can be symptoms of an ineffective heating system. Regular maintenance will improve indoor air quality temporarily, but over time, a replacement is the only sure-fire solution.
- Increased Repair Frequency: As the years go by, your heating system will suffer the usual wear and tear, but you should look back on your recent service history. Instead of spending your money on recurring repair visits, you will get more bang for your buck by investing in a new high-efficiency system.
- Strange Noises or Smells: Hearing the occasional bump in the basement isn’t usually cause for alarm, but if you start to hear out-of-the-ordinary humming, banging, or clunking coming from your heating system, it could be time for a replacement. Abnormal odors can be another red flag.
- Uneven Heating: Do some rooms feel warm while others feel cold? If your thermostat reads a typical temperature, but heat is not reaching all areas of your home equally, that can indicate the decline of your equipment’s operation capabilities.
- High Energy Bills: Efficiency with any piece of equipment will decline with age, but consistently climbing heating costs, without extreme weather or household size increase, is a clear symptom of decreased fuel economy. New high-efficiency models can reach efficiency ratings of up to 95, leading to significantly reduced heating expenses.
Related Post: How to Tell If Your Furnace or Boiler Is Energy Efficient
If you’ve noticed any of these red flags with your heating system, get in touch with us at Bridgewater. We can help you determine if it’s time to replace your heating system.