PFO Heating & Air Conditioning: Is It Time For A Heater Upgrade?

heating system in home Many homeowners question when they should repair or replace their furnace. They get hung up on heating system replacement cost instead of thinking about the other advantages that come from a replacement. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), the lifespan of a typical heating system is about 20 years. If your heater is that old, then it’s probably time for a heater upgrade. While we understand that replacing your heater is expensive, there are wide variety of benefits that arise from it.

By replacing your old and outdated heating system…

you will pay less on your home heating costs. Your home will feel much more comfortable. Also, you won’t deal with a breakdown in the middle of the winter.

Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help by offering affordable and trusted heating system replacements in Manalapan NJ and surrounding areas. Some homeowners claim that they are unaware of when a replacement should take place. Some even don’t realize it until it is too late and their heater has completely malfunctioned in the middle of the winter. The good news is that you can avoid this type of situation because your system will demonstrate clear signs beforehand. In this article, we will discuss some of the telltale signs you should look out for.

Frequent Repairs

high heating costs Frequent repairs are a good indicator that you need to replace your heater. In fact, if the cost of the repairs is more than 50% of the cost of replacement, you should opt for a heater upgrade. Even if you need to repair your unit, always make sure that you find a reputable HVAC company to handle your heating system.

Many homeowners make the mistake of constantly repairing their system, over and over again. However, when you are spending more than what it would cost to upgrade your equipment, then it is not worth it. Having to frequently repair your heating system is a good sign that it is time to start shopping around. Furthermore, an honest and reputable HVAC company should suggest an upgrade if you are calling them for frequent repairs.

High Heating Bills

If you are wondering “How efficient is a 20 year old furnace?”, you might be surprised to find that heaters tend to lose their energy efficiency over time. In fact, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE), the annual energy utilization efficiency (AFUE) of a heater typically drops to 78% or lower after about two decades of usage (20 years) even with regular maintenance. AFUE is simply a system used to measure the efficiency of a heating unit. For instance, a 80% AFUE furnace is able to use 80% of the energy it consumes to heat a home, meaning 20% of the energy goes to waste.

In essence, when your furnace’s AFUE drops, your heating costs will likely rise.

To keep your heating costs relatively low and stable, you should get a professional HVAC technician to replace your old, inefficient heater with a new, high efficiency heater (93 to 97% AFUE heater). Until your heater reaches that point, be sure to schedule annual heating tune-ups for optimal, energy efficient performance.

Old Age

heater replacement in Manalapan New Jersey The average lifespan of a typical heater is about 15 to 20 years. This is according to a 2007 study by the Bank of America and the National Association of Home Builders. This study also found that baseboards for hot-water radiators and baseboards last anywhere from 13 to 21 years. There are different ways of determining the age of your unit. For instance, some technicians write the date a system was installed directly on the unit. Alternatively, if you have your unit’s model and serial numbers, you can contact the manufacturer to get the date of manufacture.

Yellow Burner Flame

A properly functioning gas furnace typically produces a blue flame with shades of yellow at the tip of the flame’s inner core. On the other hand, an inefficient heater typically produces a largely yellow flame because it emits high amounts of carbon monoxide. This means it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. For this reason, when your heater’s flame changes from blue to yellow, contact a professional HVAC technician right away. You want them to inspect your heater.

Besides a yellow flame, other common signs of carbon monoxide include:

pipe corrosion
water leakages
excess condensation on cold places
streaks of soot around your unit

Of course, the best way to monitor high carbon monoxide levels is to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Make sure they are within 10 feet of every bedroom. Additionally, ensure your furnace is always in pristine condition by scheduling annual furnace maintenance in the fall.

Uneven Temperatures

If you constantly have to adjust the thermostat…

in order to achieve indoor comfort, you could have an issue with your heater. This is true especially when it is about two decades old or so. If this is the case, you should consider a heater upgrade. In some cases, the thermostat is at fault. However, this is also one of the many signs that indicate the need for a heater replacement.

Heating System Replacement Manalapan NJ

When your heating system displays any of the above signs, be sure to contact an HVAC professional right away. You can save a lot of money on your heating bills and you can feel much more comfortable throughout the winter. Call Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning for all of your HVAC needs, including heating system replacement. Our NATE certified contractors can find the best system for your home that will improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort. Call us today to speak with one of our home comfort specialists.

Learn More About the ROI Of A New Heater

We service Englishtown NJ 07726, Freehold NJ 07728, Helmetta NJ 08828, Marlboro NJ 07746, Monroe Township NJ 08831, Morganville NJ 07751, Perrineville NJ 08535, Spotswood NJ 08884, Tennent NJ 07763, Wickatunk NJ 07765, and surrounding towns in New Jersey.

Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning is an authorized dealer for Carrier and Mitsubishi HVAC systems. These two brands manufacture the best heating and cooling systems in the industry. As an authorized dealer, it implies that we have been recognized by these brands for providing exceptional service to our customers. To learn more about Carrier systems, click here. To learn more about Mitsubishi ductless systems, click here.
carrier Authorized Mitsubishi Heating and Cooling dealer in Mercer County NJ