Furnace Replacement: When Should You Have It Done And How Much Does It Cost?
Posted by Shawn Larsen | Furnace repair, Furnace replacement | Posted on November, 11. 2021
Have you ever thought about a furnace replacement?
While heating systems are becoming more prominent in homes worldwide, many still prefer the traditional furnace as the main source of heat because of the benefits of having a furnace over a different type of heating system. Furnaces are more cost-efficient than high-tech heating systems. While these benefits are great, furnaces don’t last indefinitely.
If you’re living in an area that experiences cold temperatures, especially during winter (like Utah), then you’ll be using your furnace for hours each day. In Salt Lake County, the weather does get a little too cold for comfort from time to time. As you’ll be using your furnace regularly during the winter months, there’s a chance that your furnace might begin experiencing problems.
When Is It Time For A Furnace Replacement?
Furnaces are built to last a long time, but eventually they’ll give out. Is it time to have your furnace replaced? Here is how to know if you need your furnace replaced.
You're Spending A Lot On Repairs
One of the sure signs that it’s time to replace your home furnace is if you’re spending an increasing amount on repairs. Furnaces are supposed to be low-maintenance house additions, but once they begin to experience problems, more and more issues are going to surface eventually.
As time goes on, you’ll end up spending money on cleaning services to keep it running. In time, the furnace will also become less and less effective when it comes to heating. If you constantly need to have your furnace serviced, you should consider getting a replacement instead, as it will likely be better on your budget in the long run.
If you’re not sure that a full replacement is in your budget, there are a couple ways we can help.
First, our Larsen VIP Protection Plan members save 10% off any repairs or services among many other benefits – including saving 10% off HVAC system replacements whenever the time comes. We’ll do all we can to maximize the life and efficiency of your existing equipment.
Second, if it is time to replace your system, we have financing options to help fit your budget and will also check to make sure you get all of the rebates and government incentives possible to save you money.
It's Already More Than 15 Years Old
The average lifespan of a furnace is 15 years. While you can still have your furnace running normally even if it’s already that old, it’s no longer going to be as efficient or as effective as it used to be. There are many reasons why you shouldn’t stick with a furnace that’s way past its lifespan.
For one, older furnaces are likely to give off more carbon monoxide. Not only is it detrimental to you and your family’s health, but carbon monoxide also increases the chance of fire hazards at home.
Another important reason is that older furnace models are less efficient compared to newer models. You can think of it as how a 2006 car model differs from a 2021 car model. Modern cars have better fuel efficiency, they’re safer, and they’re pretty much better in every way. The same can be said when it comes to furnaces.
If you have time to listen, we could easily spend an hour talking about all of the amazing advancements in HVAC technology and features over the past 15 years… we’re geeks about that sort of thing. Give Shawn a call, or ask any of our technicians – we love this stuff.
Shifting to a newer model might seem more expensive at first. However, when you look at how much you’ll save when it comes to maintenance and fuel, having your furnace replaced with a recent model is more cost-efficient.
It's Beginning To Get Noisier
Furnaces aren’t exactly completely silent. However, the noise they emit isn’t enough to cause a ruckus inside the house. You should listen in for deep hums, rattling, and buzzes. These sounds can point to serious problems that might eventually be persistent and costly to fix. If you’re not sure what is normal, or what might be a problem, give us a call and schedule a tune-up today. We’ll get to the bottom of it and make sure your system is running as efficiently as possible.
Excessive Dust, Soot, And Dirt Particles At Home
Inspect the part of the house where your furnace is in. If you’re beginning to notice an increase in dust, soot, or dirt in that area, then that means your furnace is having some issues. Not only is this a bother to clean, but it’s also bad for your health as well.
According to the American Lung Association, particle pollution and carbon monoxide emissions are common in inefficient home heating systems. You might not be feeling the negative implications of these in your health at first, but eventually, your respiratory system will experience serious respiratory problems.
The Furnace Replacement Process
Getting your furnace replaced can be a costly and time-consuming process, but it’s a good investment. Once your system starts to show all, or even just some, of the warning signs listed above, the next step is to find the right people that can give your home the furnace it needs.
How Much Does It Cost?
According to Home Advisor, it might cost around $2,572 to $6,211 to replace a furnace. This includes the new furnace you are getting, as well as the installation costs. This price will depend heavily on the furnace you get.
The cheapest type of furnaces are electric ones, as they cost somewhere between $550 to $1,100. The most expensive and advanced are solar furnaces, and they cost $15,000 to $30,000.
While you’re at it, it would be wise to talk to a furnace installation company like Larsen HVAC about which type of furnace would be best for your home.
As for the replacement and installation cost it will depend on who you hire and what time of year since installers often charge extra during winter, as this is often when there is the highest demand for furnace services and winter conditions can make furnace replacements more difficult.
Did we mention that our VIP members also get premium priority service? If you need emergency service, you’ll be at the top of the list and won’t pay any extra for weekend or holiday appointments.
How Long Does It Take?
The average time it takes to replace a furnace is around 4 to 10 hours. In most cases, the furnace installer such as Larsen HVAC will first go to your home to inspect the project. This usually happens a day or so before the real project begins
It takes about 1 to 2 weeks to install a new furnace. Since furnaces break most often in the peak of winter and other high-use times, winter weather can cause the furnace replacement to take longer. This is why it’s often recommended to get a replacement sooner rather than later.
There are many factors that will affect the time it takes to get the furnace replaced. This includes the skill of the people you hire, the size of your home, and the type of furnace you are looking to get replaced. During this time, it’s best to avoid the area that’s being worked on so that the pros can work in peace.
Conclusion
Your furnace is an integral part of your home during the winter season. The last thing you want are problems or malfunctions when you need it most. Getting a replacement furnace is highly recommended before winter arrives to save on installation costs and to ensure that you stay warm and comfortable all season long.
It can be difficult to determine when it’s time for a furnace replacement, but these tips above are an excellent guide. A furnace replacement can be costly, but it’s an investment that’s well worth the cost. Thanks to Larsen HVAC, getting your furnace changed is just a click or a call away.
