5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Heating System

cartoon of doctor diagnosing a sick furnace

How often do you think about your heating system? If you’re like the average New Jersey homeowner, you don’t give it much thought – until it stops working. If you’re thinking about it regularly because it’s been having issues lately, then maybe it’s time for a furnace or boiler replacement.

But how do you know if you need a heating repair or a heating replacement? Here are a few trustworthy signs that signify it’s time for a heating system replacement.

1) Energy Bills Just Keep Increasing

During the colder months of the year, it’s not uncommon that your utility bills will get a bit higher. You’re heating your home to stay warm while the cold wind blows outside, and that takes more energy. But if you notice your bill is significantly higher than it was during the same month each passing year, that’s a signal something is wrong.

2) Heating Repair Costs Are Climbing

If you constantly need furnace repairs, it’ll get costly quickly. While it can be expensive to replace your furnace or boiler, it’s best to stop throwing money at repairs that won’t fix your heating system, at least not for long. If you’re paying out more in repairs each year than what a new system would cost, then it’s probably time for a replacement. A good rule of thumb is that if you add up your repair bills and it’s half of what a new system would be, it’s time for a heating system replacement.

3) Yellow Burner Flames

If you have a gas furnace and its burner flame is yellow, that’s a sure sign it’s on its last legs. When your heating system is in proper working order, its burner flames should be blue. If the flame looks yellow or orange, that could signify your furnace is experiencing incomplete combustion. A yellow flame could also be a sign that your furnace is

producing carbon monoxide. Have a local heating service expert come to your home for an inspection to be on the safe side.

4) Your Heating System Makes Unusual Noises

If your furnace or boiler are making odd noises while it’s running normally, there could be some serious issues. Here’s a list of a few noises you need to be on the lookout for:

Popping – When your heating system makes a “popping” noise, it indicates a temperature fluctuation in your furnace. The popping noise comes from the parts of your system being affected by the temperature change.
Screeching – If your furnace is making a “nails on a chalkboard” sound, but with metal, it might mean you have a damaged blower motor or a damaged belt.
Humming – Your furnace’s blower motor makes a “humming” noise during its standard operation, but if the sound becomes noticeably louder, you may want to look into furnace replacement options.
Booming – If you hear a “booming” sound coming from your heating system, you may have a severe gas emission issue. The sound is most likely caused by a brief delay during the ignition process, but if you smell the odor of lingering gas, you need a furnace replacement.
Clanging/Banging – If your boiler is making any types of “clanging” or “banging” noises, it could indicate an issue in pressure, a leak, or blockage. Whichever the problem, it’s most likely time to get a boiler replacement.

5) Visible Corrosion

Boiler systems nowadays are made to resist corrosion for years, but if your boiler has broken valves and leaks, air gains access to your system leading to deterioration. If your boiler shows signs of corrosion, it’s usually best to get a boiler replacement.

Bonus Sign: Age Of Your System

Furnaces and boilers, on average, have a lifespan of approximately 15 to upwards of 20 years. When your heating system gets old, it just doesn’t make much sense to keep spending money on repairs because you’ll just keep spending money. After a furnace or boiler reaches a certain age, no amount of money can make it function as it did when new.

Contact The Heating Experts

When it’s time for a heating system replacement, call on the experts at Mark Lindsay & Son, West Milford and Northern New Jersey’s heating experts. Replacing your heating system is also a great way to make sure your home is ready for winter. Give us a call today to discuss your furnace or boiler replacement options!

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