Is it time to replace your natural gas furnace?

Did you ever have an old sweater you literally loved to pieces? You wore it for years, enthusiastically dragging it out of the closet at the slightest hint of a cool breeze, watching it grow thin and more threadbare every season.

Eventually, every old sweater held together by hope and habit becomes a thing no amount of stitching will ever make whole (or warm) again. And much is the same for your home’s natural gas furnace. At some point, the cost in maintenance and repairs, combined with a loss in efficiency and comfort, simply outweigh the cost of purchasing a new model.

So how do you know when yours has reached that point? The signs that your furnace is worn out might not be as obvious as that old sweater that’s given up the ghost. Let’s take a look at some considerations to help you spot when it’s time to replace your natural gas furnace.

What’s the average life of a gas furnace?

Typically, standard gas furnaces last 15-20 years, though this can vary a little depending on how well yours has been taken care of. Yearly inspections, maintenance and regular filter changes can help extend its life. Other things to consider include the quality of installation, how much you’re using it to stay warm and whether or not it’s the proper size for your home—oversized or undersized units tend to wear out faster.

What are the signs it’s time to replace my furnace?

Most people start planning for a new furnace at about the 15-year mark, but there are other clues that can help you determine when yours needs to be replaced.

• Cost and Repair Frequency: Repairs on young furnaces are generally small and inexpensive, usually requiring a new ignitor, sensor or filter. But as these units age, you might be faced with purchasing a new blower motor, heat exchanger or control board, and these repairs can get pricey—and they can occur more frequently. If you’re calling a technician out more than once in a season, it might be time to ditch that old furnace, especially if a repair costs more than 25-30% of the price of a new model.
• Rising Energy Bills: Your gas furnace may appear to be working, but have you noticed a spike in your winter heating bills? This could be attributed to a number of things—perhaps you’re using your furnace more than you used to, for example. But it’s also a good indicator that your furnace may be on its last leg, burning more fuel to produce the same amount of heat it did in years past.
• Poor Performance: You’ll also want to take notice of heating consistency. Are some rooms warm, while others stay cold? Does your furnace run longer without reaching the thermostat setting? Are there temperature swings throughout the day and night? These are all good signs your furnace is nearing retirement.
• Odd Noises and Off-Cycling: Just like any mechanical device, old furnaces often develop new or worsening noises over time, as well as issues with run times. Banging or popping can indicate problems with your heat exchanger. Grinding and scraping may point to an issue with your furnace’s blower motor or bearings. Rattling can mean loose components, and whining could reveal motor or belt issues. Short cycling—when your furnace turns on and off rapidly—along with long cycles that never fully heat your home, or even repeated failed start attempts, are all strong signals that your furnace is close to breaking down.

What’s the average cost to replace a gas furnace?

Total expenses for a new furnace can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type and size of furnace you need and where you happen to live. But in the Southeast, a good ballpark average is between $3,000 and $7,500. Professional installation usually adds another $2,000-$4,500, bringing the total cost to about $5,000 to $12,000 for most homeowners. In states like Georgia, overall prices tend to be a little less, as furnaces run less often, demand is lower and installation labor rates lean toward the lower end of the spectrum compared to other regions of the U.S.

Eventually, every gas furnace reaches a point where repairs and inefficiency outweigh the value of holding onto it. But keeping an eye (and ear) out for common signs and understanding replacement costs can help you make confident and timely decisions about upgrading your home’s heating system.

Stay tuned for more helpful blogs like this from Georgia’s highest-rated natural gas provider.