October means that—aside from planning your Halloween costume or your children’s Halloween costumes—you need to plan your heating needs for the approaching winter. Last week, we brought you a reminder about calling for a regular maintenance tune-up for your heating system. This week we’ll look at a bigger solution to future heating trouble: replacing an old gas furnace for a new unit. Furnaces are the most common type of heating system in the United States, making them a key focus for winter preparation.
The time will come when a unit no longer functions efficiently or effectively enough to make it economical to keep it around. Mechanical problems, such as a malfunctioning thermostat, gas leaks, or a strong fuel smell, can be warning signs that a furnace is becoming a malfunctioning furnace and may require replacement. It is not normal when your furnace runs too hot, indicating a possible faulty thermostat or dirty air filter.
Here are some of the signs that it’s time to replace your furnace:
- The system is more than 15 years old.
- The furnace is making loud, unusual noises.
- The heating bills are rising.
- The furnace is not providing enough heat.
- The system needs expensive and frequent repairs. If your furnace requires frequent repairs or if the unit runs with ongoing issues, it may be more cost-effective to consider furnace installation of a new model.
Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration offers furnace installation and replacement for all major brands, including gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps, electric heaters, and ductless mini splits, to meet your HVAC needs. Our certified technicians and knowledgeable technicians provide professional service and are experienced in the HVAC industry, ensuring customer satisfaction. We serve Shreveport and Bossier City, offering comprehensive heating and air conditioning and Shreveport air conditioning solutions. Enjoy transparent, upfront pricing and financing options available with approved credit. Our HVAC technician team can also assist with HVAC repair, HVAC maintenance, heater repair services, furnace repairs, maintenance service, and other HVAC services. If you notice issues such as a pilot light that won’t stay lit, carbon monoxide detectors going off, or signs of toxic gas, immediate professional attention is needed. Furnace replacement services in Shreveport, LA, are provided by local HVAC companies that handle the process from assessment to installation. Replacing an old furnace can help lower your utility bill and prevent further heater problems. Ductless mini and ductless mini splits are available for homes without existing ductwork.
Is It Furnace Replacement Time?
We would love to be able to tell you that the natural gas furnace serving your home will last forever and will never need a replacement. But that’s simply untrue. But that’s simply untrue. Although gas furnaces that receive routine maintenance can sometimes last for more than 20 years, the time will come when a unit no longer functions efficiently or effectively enough to make it economical to keep it around. Here are some ways to tell that your furnace needs to be retired:
- It is exceptionally noisy – You’ve probably lived with your furnace for many years now, so you should have a good idea of what kinds of sounds it makes when it runs. If those sounds have increased, and new and annoying ones have joined them, then the system is probably too worn down. Loud or unusual noises can indicate mechanical problems that may require furnace repairs Have a technician look at it to see if repairs will keep it going for a while longer, or if a replacement is a better option.
- Expensive and frequent repairs – Speaking of repairs, if any potential repair necessary to keep the furnace running would cost half of what it would take to have a new furnace installed, then it’s time to get rid of the furnace. A repair price that high is simply not worth it. But a slew of smaller repairs is a reason to be concerned as well. But a slew of smaller repairs is a reason to be concerned as well. If your malfunctioning furnace requires frequent repairs and needs constant attention, it’s a sign it’s time for replacement. Two or more repairs during the season are a warning that the furnace won’t last much longer.
- High heating costs – If the cost to run a gas furnace makes a sudden leap, the reason is often a malfunction that can be repaired. But when costs gradually rise over season after season, it means the furnace is grinding down. An inefficient furnace can increase your utility bill. You shouldn’t keep paying elevated prices to run an old furnace, so consider putting in a new one.
- You notice a strong fuel smell, which could indicate a gas leak or other dangerous issues such as toxic gas. If your carbon monoxide detectors go off, or you suspect a gas leak, seek immediate professional help.
- The pilot light frequently goes out or the unit runs irregularly, which may be a sign of heater problems or a malfunctioning thermostat.
Air Quality and Filtration
Maintaining excellent air quality and effective filtration is essential for a comfortable and healthy home environment in Shreveport, LA. Your furnace and HVAC system do more than just produce heat—they also circulate air throughout your home, helping to remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants. However, when your furnace malfunctions or you have a dirty air filter, the air quality in your home can quickly decline, leading to potential health issues and discomfort. Modern furnaces often feature better filtration systems that can improve indoor air quality by reducing allergens and dust.
Regular furnace maintenance is key to preventing furnace malfunctions and ensuring your system operates at its best. This includes routine tasks like checking and replacing air filters, cleaning the heat exchanger, and inspecting electrical components. Neglecting these steps can result in uneven heating, higher energy bills, and even dangerous situations like carbon monoxide leaks. A dirty air filter, in particular, can restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and increasing the risk of further damage to your HVAC system. Proper HVAC maintenance can extend the service life of your heating system.
Professional furnace repair services in Shreveport, LA, are equipped to handle these issues efficiently. Knowledgeable HVAC technicians can perform a thorough inspection of your entire HVAC system—including your furnace, heat pump, and air conditioning units—to identify and resolve any problems affecting air quality and filtration. They can also recommend the best repair options and maintenance practices to keep your system running safely and efficiently.
It’s important to stay alert for signs that your air quality may be suffering. Strange noises, sudden odors, or frequent cycling of your heating system can all indicate underlying furnace issues. Addressing these problems promptly with professional furnace repair can prevent further damage and help maintain optimal performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the main signs that my furnace needs replacing?
Answer: If your furnace is unusually noisy, requires frequent or expensive repairs (especially costs approaching half of a new unit), or your heating bills are rising steadily, these are red flags that replacement may be more cost-effective than continued repairs.
Question: How old should a furnace be before I start considering replacement?
Answer: Gas furnaces typically last about 15–20 years with routine maintenance, though some may last longer if well cared for. After 15 years, efficiency drops and parts start to fail more often.
Question: When is it more cost-effective to replace instead of repair?
Answer: A common rule of thumb is that if a repair costs 50 percent or more of the price of a new furnace, replacement is usually the smarter decision. Also, if you’re doing multiple repairs in one season, that’s another indicator.
Question: How does inefficiency or rising energy costs factor into replacement decision?
Answer: If you see heating costs climb over multiple seasons without other obvious causes, it suggests your furnace is losing efficiency. Upgrading to a newer, higher-efficiency furnace can reduce those costs.
Question: Are there safety concerns that could require immediate replacement?
Answer: Yes. Issues like cracked heat exchangers or venting problems can lead to carbon monoxide leaks. If those are suspected, replacement or major repair is an urgent safety issue.
To schedule furnace replacement, call Hall’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We serve Benton, LA and the surrounding areas.
