Especially in the winter, no home owner wants to deal with a furnace that’s not functioning properly. But how can you tell if your furnace just needs to be repaired or if it’s time for a new furnace? The only way to be sure one way or the other is to contact a professional HVAC technician, however, there are some telltale symptoms, if you will, that can give you an idea as to the severity of the problem at hand.

When a Repair is in Order

Again, the only way to know for sure that your furnace needs a repair is to call in the experts. The last thing you want to do in the winter is take chances with the heat in your home, especially if the problem is more serious and you do, in fact, need a new high efficiency furnace. If, however, your furnace is less than 10 years old and has been efficiently heating your home up until this point, chances are good that your technician can set the system straight with a repair.

How do you know if your furnace is working efficiently? Typically, if your home is being heated evenly (i.e. every room feels warm when the furnace is running) and you haven’t noticed a dramatic increase in your heating bills, the system is working efficiently. Don’t forget, there are things you can do to ensure your furnace remains efficient, such as calling a technician for a routine inspection and tune-up, or talking to them about improving your duct work and possibly replacing your thermostat. Like I mentioned in a previous post, never underestimate the good that a yearly or twice yearly furnace inspection and servicing will do for your heating system.

When it May be Time for a New Furnace

Because the life expectancy of most furnaces is between 15 and 20 years, there are times when a repair might not be the most cost-effective nor logical solution. Unlike a newer, high efficiency furnace, you could pay to fix an issue with an older furnace now and only have to pay to repair some other part of the system a few months down the road. If you find yourself calling your HVAC technician more often, your furnace wasn’t installed properly in the first place, or a technician performs an inspection and their diagnosis isn’t favourable, it’s likely time to invest in a new, high efficiency furnace. In the long-run, a new furnace that’s properly installed and fitted for the size of your home could cost less than repeatedly repairing your older furnace.

If your furnace is on the fritz or you’re worried about how efficiently the system is heating your home, call us at J.O.B. Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll send one of our expert technicians out to first diagnose the problem and to then advise you on the best course of action for your situation – a repair or a replacement – and the options that are available to you. Improve the level of comfort in your home now! Call us: (306) 683-4328.