If your building’s furnace has been there for 10 or 15 years (or more), you may be wondering how much life it has left. You don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars for a new one if you don’t have to yet, but you also don’t want to be in a position of having to make a quick decision to buy a new furnace when it suddenly fails and you have no heat. How can you predict when it’s likely to fail so you can replace it proactively?
If you’ve noticed many of the following warning signs, it’s time to call a certified HVAC service company for an evaluation of your system and recommendations for replacement options.
1. It’s a teenager
Most light commercial furnaces are built to last 15 to 20 years, so if your furnace is up there in its “teen” years, it’s actually an old-timer in furnace years, and things are bound to go wrong in the near future. You should also take into account the furnace maintenance history. If you haven’t done routinely done your fall furnace maintenance, or had it regularly cleaned and tuned up by a professional HVAC service company, the expected life span may be reduced significantly.
2. It’s driving up your utility bills
Have you noticed your energy bills going up in the last few years? It may be more than just rate increases. Check your bills to determine if your usage is increasing. If so, your HVAC system may be losing efficiency as it ages. Your old system is probably not more than 60 to 70 percent efficient. If you replace it with a new one rated 97% efficient, you can save 30% or more on your energy usage.
3. It’s getting less reliable
Your old furnace is like an old car. As it ages, more and more parts start to break down. You may have had a number of repair issues over the past few years, but you’ve been lucky and they were fixable without breaking the bank. But once your furnace reaches that stage, you will continue to have frequent breakdowns until a major component fails and the unit has reached the end of its life.
4. It provides inconsistent heat
Does your building have hot and cold spots? Are some people wearing winter coats and others opening the windows? There are many possible causes of temperature variance. Your furnace may no longer be adequately sized for the needs of your space. You may have re-arranged the layout without changing the ductwork, or there may be holes in the ductwork. The fan motor may no longer be blowing adequately. HVAC companies in NYC are trained to get to the bottom of it, so call in a professional.
5. It’s actually making people sick
An inefficient HVAC system can cause a drastic reduction in indoor air quality leading to unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms. Are people complaining of headaches and nausea? You could have a crack in your furnace’s heat exchanger that’s leaking low levels of carbon monoxide throughout the building. Has there been an increase in cold and allergy symptoms? Your ventilation system could be spreading pollen, mold, bacteria and viruses. Obviously, this is a situation that needs immediate attention.
6. It’s making a mess
When your furnace is no longer working efficiently, you will notice an increase in dust, humidity and condensation on the windows, and even mold problems throughout your building.
7. It’s making weird noises
Is your furnace making noises that are driving everyone in the building crazy? All those bumps, clanks and rattles are a sign that your furnace is worn out. As your furnace ages and parts get worn, it can get progressively nosier. Think of it as a wake-up call. It’s time to think about a new unit that will give you both peace of mind and peace and quiet.
8. It’s broken!
If your furnace has broken down, and you’ve already noticed most of the above warning signs, it’s probably time to consider a replacement.
Even if your furnace is still working and you’ve noticed these issues, it’s in your best interest to start researching replacement options. This gives you time to find the right equipment at the right price for your needs.
Are you facing a decision about whether to repair an ailing furnace or spring for a new one? It can be a challenge to know who to trust. There are many factors to consider, including the age and condition of the equipment, what exactly is broken, as well as other soft costs and intangibles that you might fail to think about. To learn more, download our helpful guide: Repair or Replace
