Having an efficient furnace is essential to keep your house warm. However, does a furnace lose its efficiency over time? We have researched on your behalf to find the answer to that question!
A furnace will lose its efficiency over time. Different factors come into play as to why this happens. For example, as a furnace ages, it endures wear and tear, and the internal parts can break and become faulty. This is why it is crucial to replace your furnace every 20 years on average.
If you notice that your house is not keeping warm and there is a loss in power, it may be due to the furnace losing enough of its original energy to heat the whole house. In this article, we will discuss the signs of a properly working furnace. In addition, we will discuss the signs of a faulty furnace and the average costs to replace one, so read on!
Does A Furnace Lose Efficiency Over Time?
What is a furnace? A furnace is a central heating system that heats the air to provide home heating. For your house to have a furnace, it needs to have an outside vent to the chimney.
The fuel used in the furnaces typically consists of natural gas or oil. The combustion process warms up and pressurizes the air and then moves it through ducts and fans to distribute the heat evenly throughout your house. The electricity needed for this process comes from electrodes in either coal-fired power plants or nuclear power plants.
Like other household mechanisms, furnaces will lose their efficiency as they age. If you do not replace your furnace after every 20 years of use, it can significantly impact your power bill.
Many factors come into play as to why a furnace loses its efficiency over time. For one, they will lose their efficiency if there is a buildup of dirt and dust within the machine. In addition to that, the internal parts may be damaged and begin to break down.
This results in a loss of power within the furnace, resulting in lower efficiency over time. In addition to that, the air vents used in the furnace will wear out from age. This leads to less CO2 being sent into your home for heating purposes, which causes a loss of efficiency.
In short, if the furnace parts are wearing out, you will see a loss in efficiency over time. This is why it is crucial to replace your furnace after every 20 years of use on average to prevent this from happening.
What is the average life of a furnace?
The average life of a furnace is around 15-20 years. However, some furnaces have lasted over the 30-year mark, but it is normal to replace them before then.
Many risks come with not replacing your furnace. One of the most critical risks is losing power, which will cause your house to be colder than usual. In addition, if the parts in your furnace are wearing out or malfunctioning, they may also leak gasses that can cause health problems for people in the home.
Finally, just because your furnace is old does not mean that it's completely unproductive. If you have your furnace serviced by a professional and everything seems fine, then you can continue using that furnace until they deem it necessary to replace it. But, if you consider the other factors mentioned earlier, it will be less efficient than a new furnace.
How Efficient is a 20-Year-Old Furnace?
Typically speaking, a furnace can lose anywhere between 20% to 40% of its efficiency. This is because the parts in your furnace begin to wear down after years of use. This can be for many reasons, like heat, vibrations, and dust buildup.
Many factors play into this equation, though. For example, if you do not take care of your furnace, it will function at a lower efficiency than expected. This means that your energy bill will be higher than it could be if you had a newer furnace.
How Do you Know if your Furnace is Dying?
There are numerous signs that your furnace is dying. If it's the age of the furnace, you will need to replace it. However, if your furnace is still relatively young but shows some of these signs, it might be time to get a new one:
Poor Airflow
A lack of airflow through your vents can indicate multiple problems with your furnace. This may be due to a clogged vent or because the filter is dirty. It could also mean that the fan inside of the furnace needs to be serviced by a professional.
If you are having circulation problems in your home, it might indicate that your furnace is dying. There are numerous reasons for this, like an obstructed vent or a dirty filter. It might also mean that the fan inside of the furnace needs to be serviced by a professional.
Lower Energy Efficiency
As your home gets older, you will notice that heating becomes more expensive. This is because your furnace loses its efficiency over time. If this sounds familiar, then you may want to think about replacing your furnace before it's too late.
Higher Energy Bills
The higher that your energy bill becomes, the more likely it is that your furnace is dying. As previously stated, this means that there are parts within the machine wearing out over time. It might be due to heat damage, worn-out parts, or a decrease in airflow. While the underlying cause might be different, it all results in lower efficiency over time.
Loud Noises
Noises coming from your furnace can indicate that something is wrong with it. These noises can include popping and hissing sounds, like those emitted by burners that are not working correctly. Other everyday noises include rumbling and knocking, indicating that the belts or motors within the furnace need to be serviced.
Uneven Temperatures
One of the most noticeable signs that your furnace is dying is that it no longer evenly heats your home. While there are many reasons for this, one of them might be that the furnace needs servicing or that you need an additional heating device.
Moisture Found on Windows and Walls
If you find moisture along the walls and windows of your home, it may mean that there is a leak somewhere in your furnace. This can be caused by dirty filters or poor airflow. However, there are numerous other causes, like condensation due to strange temperatures in certain parts of the home.
Rust on Pipe Connections
One of the signs that your furnace is dying can be rust on its connection pipes. This means that the machine is not adequately ventilated, which can damage other components within it. This can be fixed by installing additional vents to help remove moisture from your home.
Yellow Pilot Light
A yellow or orange pilot light can indicate that there is a problem with your furnace. A red light may mean a low gas supply, whereas a blue one means too high blower settings. If you need additional information on what these colors mean, talk to your local utility company.
If you aren't sure how old your furnace is, or if you notice any of these signs, speak to a professional about evaluating your furnace. This way, you can know for sure if your furnace needs to be replaced before it does more damage than expected.
How Much Should it Cost to Replace a Furnace?
There is a wide range on how much a furnace replacement can cost. The factors include the size and type of furnace, location, quality, and cost. There are numerous online estimates that one can research and receive a rough estimate on repair costs.
With that being said, you can expect to pay on average between $2,600 and $8,000. That is an overall average, but it is hard to say without knowing all of the details. The best thing to do is get different price quotes and compare them before making a buying decision.
Final Thoughts
While a furnace replacement can be an expensive household fix, it can cost you more in the long run by not replacing an old one. In addition to higher electric bills, you can also put yourself and others at risk of carbon monoxide risks. That is why it is so important to replace a dying furnace as soon as possible.
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