When the temperature begins to drop, nothing feels better than watching winterscape while cozying up under the covers. Meanwhile, your furnace keeps your dwelling comfortable and warm during chilly and cooler months. While you might not pay attention to it generally, you will notice if it stops functioning and is cold outside.
If you feel like donning more layers while you’re inside, it may be time to start searching for a new furnace. Typically, people have natural gas furnaces in the house as they are easy to set up and maintain. However, if you don’t maintain or repair them on a timely basis, it may cost up to 42% of the energy bill, which is a large chunk of your total utility costs.
If there is an uncomfortable and inconsistent temperature throughout your house, it is perhaps the right time to bid farewell to your old furnace. But replacing your furnace requires you to have complete knowledge about modern gas furnace features.
Luckily, as heating technology is continuously advancing, most Modern Gas Furnaces come with superb performance-improving and energy-saving features. Here is everything you need to know about furnace replacement.
Signs Indicating that You Need a New Furnace
As per a recent survey by the National Association of Homebuilders, an average gas furnace lasts between fifteen to twenty years. According to HVAC experts, age is not the only essential consideration homeowners should consider when replacing their furnace.
Take a look at these signs to understand when you should consider replacing your furnace when the ideal time is.
- Older than 12 years: When your gas furnace is close to completing its operational life, it becomes less efficient, so you receive higher energy bills.
- Costly Repairs: If repairs to your furnace are expensive, it is better to upgrade and replace it. When repairing a furnace costs you more, investing in a more efficient energy system is worth it.
- High energy bills: If you notice a hefty change in your energy bill in terms of cost despite consuming the same amount of heating, there might be an issue with your gas furnace
- Inconsistent temperatures: If you’re experiencing cold and hot spots throughout your home, it means your furnace is not distributing hot air efficiently.
- Corrosion: If you see signs of disintegration or corrosion on the surface of your furnace, take care of it before it causes a serious hazard.
- Excessive soot: When there is excessive carbon dioxide in your furnace, it releases soot or dirt in large quantities, which can be dangerous for you and your family’s health.
- Noisy: You might start hearing odd noises coming from your furnace. This can include popping, humming, rattling, and screeching noise. Please don’t ignore them, as they might be the signs of any potential failure.
Related Article: A Complete Guide to Furnace Installation
Replacing Your Furnace- What Modern Features to Look For
“Heating homes” was the only goal of gas furnaces in the beginning. However, heating technology has evolved drastically in the last two decades. The modern gas furnaces come with plenty of smart features as a professional HVAC company has begun focusing on designing efficient, advanced, safe, and cost-saving furnaces.
Here are some modern gas furnace features you must consider when replacing your old furnace.
» Multistage Burners
A multistage burner, or modulating burner, is a smart feature that delivers a different heat level in your house. It is the main component and ensures the delivery of adequate heating in every room. You can adjust the heat levels electronically of a furnace with this feature and provide desired warmth anytime.
» Programmable Thermostat and Smart Control
The star feature sets a modern gas furnace apart from an old heating system. With a programmable thermostat, you can automatically adjust both energy use and temperature according to your schedule.
For instance, it allows you to set the temperature from cooler to hotter, depending on the number of hours you spend away from or in your home. If you return home in the evening, your programmable thermostat begins to warm up your home shortly before it so that you enter a cozy and heated environment.
Smart controls in the new systems, on the other hand, adjust the temperature and monitor other things, such as;
- Humidity levels
- System efficiency
- Outdoor temperatures
Moreover, you can adjust your home’s indoor conditions. Plus, it gives you reminders to regularly change the furnace filter and time to call an HVAC Contractor for Furnace tune-up. These smart controls work as the manager for your HVAC system, making furnace repair and maintenance much more convenient than they used to be in earlier times.
» Electronic Ignition
Your home appliances should not be consuming energy when you’re not using them. This is another smart and features modern gas furnaces come with. The in-built ignition system and hot surface ignition don’t keep systems “on” all the time.
Recommended Reading: Furnace Types, Popular Brands, Cost, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation
» Multi-Speed and Fixed Speed Blower
Modern gas furnaces have blower fans to ensure the adjustability and consistency of the heated airflow and speed. Unlike a single-speed blower fan that operates only at a fixed speed, a multi-speed blower provides users access to many airflow speeds. They can select it, depending on the specific requirements of the family.
Blower fans with variable speed make the smartest choice as they allow you to adjust the airflow at your convenience.
» Long Service Agreement
Replacing the furnace with one with modern features benefits you in terms of a better service agreement. When you replace your gas furnace, you sign a service agreement covering parts that your warranty doesn’t provide coverage for. That means you no longer have to worry about costly expenses if your heating system breaks down or needs maintenance.
Also Read: Furnace Troubleshooting and Repair
Summing Up
All in all, heating systems have revolutionized with a primary focus on zone control. A furnace is one of your home’s major appliances and an investment that requires your thorough consideration. Thus, you must seek a professional’s help to understand how these modern features can benefit you in the long run.
Conejo Valley Home Services is your trusted HVAC company servicing different California areas, including all of Conejo Valley areas and nearby regions of Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County. Our HVAC team is committed to offering reliable heating and furnace services. Call us at 805-449-0448 or contact us online for a free consultation or estimate on replacing your furnace. We are more than happy to accommodate your queries and heating needs.
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