Every winter comes with its own share of worries. Whether you’re planning on dealing with a cold, rainy days in the fall or brittle and brutal blizzards in the winter, you want to know that your home will have adequate heat when you need it. In order for that to happen, you need a heater you can rely on.
However, if you’re finding yourself constantly in need of heating repair, or you notice that your heater is struggling to keep up with the changing climate, it may be time to consider a replacement. If you’re not sure you’re at that point yet, there are a few telltale signs you can look for that can help you to decide if you should go for another repair or to replace it altogether.
How Old is Your System?
One of the first things you want to check is the age of your heater. In most homes, the heater is already installed when the new owner moves in, which means it could be at the end of its useful life. If you have the owner’s manual, then it should tell you when it was installed so you know the age. If you don’t, you can go online and look up the model number (located somewhere on the heater itself) and determine its age that way. On average, you can expect a home heater to last from 15-20 years, depending on how well it has been maintained. If your heater is in that range or later, it’s time to move up to a new one.
Your Energy Bills Keep Going Up
If you’re doing everything you can to conserve energy, but you find your power bills are continuously rising, it is probably because your heater is working too hard to keep up. It is a clear indication that it is not up to the task and is not running efficiently anymore.
Rooms Have Uneven Heat
If your system needs to maintain an even temperature throughout the house, then check it regularly. If you notice that some rooms have temperatures that are warmer than others, it’s possibly because your heater is no longer able to handle the task. As your heater gets older, it struggles to push heat into every area of your home, leaving some rooms with a significant temperature drop.
Noisy Heater
If your heater makes noise when it is turned on or it is running louder than it used to, it is probably crying out for a break. Noises like rattles, buzzes, or hums are usually the result of cracks, leaks, or some other type of breach in the structure, which is an indication that the appliance is on its last legs.
Visible Rust or Cracks
Of course, it is not good to see rust build-up on the exterior of the heater or any visible signs of cracks in or on the system. Some of these cracks could be the result of normal wear and tear, however, if these are present, your heater is in a pretty sick condition and it’s time to get a new one. Cracks in a heater can be exposing you and your loved ones to harmful and sometimes deadly carbon monoxide gases. These kinds of issues often occur in older appliances, so pay attention; your heater is talking to you.
Frequent Repairs
If you’re collecting a mass of repair bills over a short period of time, it could be a clear clue that you need to see your repairman for the last time. If you’re calling your repairman more than your significant other, it’s time to make a change. The least you could do is get a free estimate on new energy-efficient equipment.
Of course, all of these are signs that you need to invest in a new heater. However, if you’re ready to make another repair, we’ll be happy to help you at A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air, Inc. If you opt to get a new one, we can recommend one of the more reliable replacements so that you won’t really get a chance to miss your old friend.
