The furnace is one of the most important home appliances, especially if you live in a cold region. It's critical to know how long your furnace is supposed to last.

This can help you extend the life of the furnace in addition to helping you identify a furnace that needs to be replaced. If you want to extend the service life of the furnace, it is worth making an extra effort to properly repair your furnace.

Every homeowner is aware that the fall and winter months can bring unpredictable weather. It is crucial to create a comfortable and safe environment at home, whether it is for chilly, wet fall days or winter snowstorms. However, it could be time to replace your gas furnace if it struggles to keep you warm during the winter. But how can you tell when a furnace needs to be replaced? To help you decide if it's time to replace your furnace, use our checklist:

#1: Your furnace is over 15 years old

The typical lifespan of a gas furnace is 18 years, though this can vary significantly depending on how well it was maintained during that time and whether it ever had any significant problems. The frequent repairs an outdated furnace will require can save you a lot of worry, and upgrading it will also help to make your home more energy efficient. You won't have to spend as much on energy each month, so you'll have more money in your pocket at the end of the month.

#2: Strange noises are coming from your furnace

When you turn on your furnace, if you hear any odd noises, such as rattling, banging, or popping, it may be a sign that it is nearing the end of its useful life. Additionally, it may be time to start looking for a replacement if you find that your blower is regularly turning on and off or blowing chilly air.

A fantastic approach to determining if your furnace might still last you for a few years or whether it would be best to just get rid of your old one is to hire a heating professional to come out to your home and evaluate your furnace.

#3: Over the past few years, you have had repairs done on your furnace frequently

Over the past several years, if you've had to frequently pay more money for furnace repairs, it could be time to start exploring a replacement. Similar to older cars, furnaces require maintenance during the last few years of their lives. After a certain number of these repairs, it is no longer worthwhile to keep spending money on it in the hopes that it will keep working.

#4: Your heating bill has risen unexpectedly

Even though many different factors can contribute to this problem, if your furnace has been expertly repaired and your air ducts have been properly sealed, you should notice a significant increase in your energy costs.Your furnace may be nearing the end of its useful life if you see a dramatic increase in your energy bills compared to those from even a few months ago. At this point, it will start to need more energy and fuel than it formerly did to do the same work.

#5: Change in the appearance of the burner flame

A blue flame with only a tiny amount of yellow at the inner core should be produced by a functioning furnace. The presence of a mostly yellow or orange flame could indicate the production of carbon monoxide. This indicates a significant, possibly dangerous problem. Both an excessive gas supply and insufficient air could be the root of this issue. In any case, you require a specialist to look into the issue and provide you with essential advice.

#6: Presence of dust and rust particles

If you have found that your home is getting dustier, more pet-allergenic, sootier, rustier, or dirtier while your furnace is operating, it's time to install a new system.

#7: Rust or cracks are visible in or near the system on the furnace

Returning to the previous point, it is time to replace your furnace if you have seen any rust or cracks appearing in or around it. This invariably occurs over time as your furnace ages.

Summary

Consider replacing your current furnace if you see any of these warning flags. In addition to increasing your comfort, doing this will protect your family from the risks associated with running an inefficient furnace. Make a professional assessment of your need for a new furnace by contacting Riley Heat and Air.