A furnace is required for comfortable living here in Massachusetts, but how do I know when mine needs maintenance or replacing? How would I even go about replacing a furnace? Is there anything better? These are all common questions. Let Modern Energy show you these five key signs to watch out for. 

1. Age:

Time is one of the main signs that you may need a new furnace. 15- 20 years is the standard amount of time that a furnace lasts if it is well maintained. Some may need a new furnace as early as 10 years or as late as 25. Having an older furnace isn’t necessarily a problem but keep a close eye out for any issues with the unit if it’s past 15 years old.

2. Abnormally high heating bills:

When furnaces begin to break, they have to use more fuel to keep the temperature stable in your home. This will often take the form of your heating bill slowly rising from year to year, even if the weather isn’t getting colder year to year. Another common cause of this, which is not connected to a furnace, is improper insulation. If your home cannot keep the heated air in, then the furnace will have to work harder to increase the temperature, regardless of its health. Luckily, MassSave exists, MassSave is a program that is trying to make Massachusetts more energy efficient by offering up to 100% insulation installations and massive rebates on other technologies with the same goal. If you have any questions on MassSave rebates, give Modern Energy a call. 

3. Furnace can't maintain temperature set on the thermostat:

As furnaces get older, they can start to struggle to circulate the air properly throughout the home. This creates hot and cold spots in the house.  Another possible cause for this issue is that the furnace just cannot get hot enough to effectively heat a home. Both of these are signs that you should look for a replacement or repair. 

4. Furnace making strange sounds:

First, what noise should a furnace make? Furnaces normally make a gentle hum or a low rumble, but when they are starting to break, they often get louder and have a buzzing or clanking sound with it. Additionally, if your furnace has a weird smell, that is a sign you could need a new furnace. 

5. Furnace is continually breaking:

If you are constantly having repairmen, come and take a look at your furnace, that’s an obvious sign, but how often is too often? A once-a-year checkup is standard, so if you are having people repair your furnace twice, three times, four times a year, strongly consider an upgrade. 

Is there a Better Option than a Furnace? 

Furnaces are what a lot of people are used to, but they are also old technology. They still work, but there are a lot of risks associated with them, such as increased chances of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. But there is an alternative, A Heat Pump. In case you’re asking what that is, a Heat Pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling unit that runs on electricity. It’s safer, often cheaper to operate, has less environmental impact, and currently has massive rebates on installations provided by MassSave and the Federal Government. For more information on Heat Pumps and the massive savings available, call Modern Energy at 508-449-0449 or check out more blogs on our website. Modern Energy has been in the HVAC industry for years and has become one of the leaders in Massachusetts. Let us use our expertise to help you and your family.