Your heating system is a critical part of your household. Without it, it’s unlikely that your house would be habitable this season. When your heating unit isn’t running as it should, it’s easy to find yourself spending too much money on repairs and being stressed most of the time.
Sometimes, heating systems require upgrading to continue keeping our houses warm and comfortable. Lucky for you, it’s easy to tell when it’s time to upgrade yours. All you need to do is keep an eye out for the main signs.
Your Heating Bills Are Too High
Your heater contains three main components. First, it has the source that makes your house warm; this is usually the boiler or furnace. Second, it contains the component known as the distribution system, which moves the warm air. Last, it has the control system, the part that controls the amount of heat your home gets. It works using a thermostat.
Each of these components has to function efficiently so that your heating system doesn’t waste energy and lead to unintended spending. Depending on who installed your heating system, it may be generally inefficient. Unprofessional HVAC technicians usually give homeowners the option of getting cheap heating systems without cautioning them about their high long-term operating costs.
If you acquired your heating system cheaply, then it’s possible that you’re getting high heating bills every month. Getting a qualified technician to upgrade your heating system to an efficient one is the only way to lower your energy bills.
The Unit Is Too Old
According to Energy Star, you should consider replacing your heating system if it is more than 15 years old. An old heating system is likely to be inefficient because its parts were not designed to last forever.
Age basically slows down all machines. It forces them to consume more energy to deliver the same results. It doesn’t matter how well your heating system is maintained because it will always work harder to keep up with your heating demands.
Did you know that an old heating system can become hazardous? Oil, gas, and propane furnaces are particularly risky to use when they become too old. Over the years, the chemical reactions that occur between the combustion gas and the heat exchanger’s metal corrode the metal, slowly weakening it and creating cracks. These cracks can allow exhaust gases to enter your home’s air. These gases can create health problems because they usually contain a poisonous gas known as carbon monoxide.
The Repairs Are Too Frequent or Too Costly
It is okay to have your heating system’s belt changed once a year so that it continues serving you properly. However, if you find yourself calling your technicians multiple times a year to correct one or more issues to keep your system running, then you would be better off with a new heating system.
As a rule of thumb, you should upgrade your heating system if it is five years old and you are spending more than $1,400 to repair it. If your unit is already 10 years old and your repairs are above $800, you should upgrade it. It wouldn’t make sense, either, to continue living with a unit that is more than 15 years old that is costing you more than $300 to repair.
It’s Making Strange Noises
From banging and clanging to chirping and squeaking, there are many odd sounds your heater can make that indicate that it needs to be upgraded. For instance, if your unit is making a loud scraping noise that sounds like a piece of metal banging another metal, it’s very likely that your unit’s blower wheel is not working correctly. If the unit keeps producing a humming sound, then the blower motor could be faulty.
While odd noises can signify dirty or clogged filters, in many cases, these sounds are signs that your unit needs to be upgraded. This is because most of these problems are dangerous and too expensive to repair. Modern heating systems not only operate efficiently, but they also work more quietly than you can imagine.
The Heating Is Not Even
Have you been noticing that some areas of your home are unusually cooler than others? If your heating system is unable to heat your home evenly no matter what you do, then your unit’s operation capabilities could be declining. This may also happen even when your thermostat seems to be working fine.
In many cases, repairing the system would be a waste of money because too many parts would already be compromised. One of the signs of a worn-down heating system that needs an urgent upgrade is having to bump up your heater often to make your home more comfortable.
You’re Experiencing Low Humidity
If your air is too dry, then your unit could be malfunctioning. There are signs you may be getting that dry air, including breathing problems, chapped skin, and sore throats. You may have also noticed that your home’s wooden floors and furniture are splintering or cracking and getting deformed. Getting a new heating system can restore the proper humidity in your home and save you from these and other issues.
Your System Is Short Cycling
You may notice that your heating system is switching on and off for very short periods. This is known as short cycling. When your unit is in a bad state, the heat exchanger may start overheating. That’s when you’ll notice the unit shutting down unexpectedly. Besides being very inconvenient, short cycling makes heating systems inefficient. Upgrading your system would be the best solution for you if you are experiencing this problem.
The Unit Is Running for Too Long
Your heating system should run for 10-15 minutes per cycle. Depending on your home’s insulation, outdoor temperature, and thermostat settings, it may run for longer. However, if your unit is consistently having long heating cycles even when the conditions are mild, your furnace may have a serious internal issue.
Although there are many factors that would cause this problem, having a unit that is too small or one whose heat exchanger is malfunctioning would be enough. As you can imagine, having such a system would lead to higher heating bills as the unit operates far less efficiently. It would also have a more negative effect on the environment.
The extra wear and tear your system would have to endure would also lead to more premature failures and repairs. Besides getting you a heating system that has the right running cycles, a professional HVAC technician can help you select a heating system that best fits your home.
If you’re ready to upgrade your heating system, you want to partner with a professional to avoid wasting your money and time. A heating unit is a massive investment that should only be handled by a certified HVAC technician. The good news is that we have all the skills and experience you need to safely upgrade your heating unit at an affordable price.
If you want to receive the best heating installation service in Sacramento, CA, then call Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning today to make an appointment. Besides repairing and maintaining heating systems, we also install, maintain, and repair cooling systems. Our team even provides duct cleaning, indoor air quality, and plumbing services.
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