Your furnace is such a vital part of your home, but you might not know when to invest in a new system. Making that crucial decision is never easy, but the scenarios listed below are often good indicators of when a new furnace is in order. 

Everyone and everything ages — even the best heating systems will eventually succumb to old age. The average furnace offers anywhere from 15 to 30 years of reliable service, depending on a variety of factors. Care and maintenance are the most important factors, as neglect can cut a furnace's lifespan by a considerable amount. 

The older your furnace gets, the more wear and tear it'll suffer throughout its service life. Even if you keep up with minor maintenance and repairs, an old furnace can easily turn into a burden. Furnaces usually become less efficient and less reliable with age. Eventually, you'll face major breakdowns that finally sideline your heating system. 

If your current furnace is over 15 years old, then consider investing in a newer replacement. A new furnace will give you another 15 years or more of reliable and efficient heat. 

2. Your Home Demands More 

Whether you've remodeled your entire home, added an extra room, or simply opened up a wall or two, layout changes can have a drastic effect on your home's heating demands. Since your current furnace is optimized for your home's old layout and heating characteristics, it'll struggle to cope with your home's new environment. 

If you're in the middle of making any changes to your home, you may want to purchase a new furnace to match. Your heating specialist can perform a Manual J load calculation to size up your home's heating and cooling needs and choose a system that easily rises to the challenge. 

3. Your Furnace's Performance Isn't as Effective 

Your home hasn't changed nor has your routine changed, but your furnace doesn't feel as powerful as it did last winter. If you have trouble keeping individual rooms warm or have to fiddle with the thermostat just to stay comfortable, then your furnace has likely lost some of its performance. 

Keep in mind that normal wear and tear, along with certain maintenance issues, can cause a noticeable drop in overall comfort. Repairs can help restore your furnace's performance, but consider a furnace replacement if you fix your current system and it still provides little to no relief. 

4. You Hear Strange Noises 

Despite being designed to run as silently as possible, furnaces are bound to make some noise. However, certain noises are a cause for concern. Rattling, screeching, popping, and humming sounds could stem from a variety of issues. For instance, constant humming could stem from a failing capacitor or blower motor. 

Some of these noises could signal that your furnace is on its last legs. A noisy furnace deserves a comprehensive checkup by your heating specialist. 

5. You Smell Odd Odors 

In many cases, you can literally sniff out whether your home needs a furnace replacement. An ailing furnace can produce a variety of smells, with each odor indicating different issues that need addressing as soon as possible: 

Strange odors are a common sign that you're overdue for a new furnace. 

Sometimes, you're just not comfortable with your furnace — and that's okay. You may be tired of worrying over minor yet annoying issues with your furnace. Or perhaps you don't trust your furnace to make it through the fall and winter without breaking down.

No matter your reasons for replacing your current furnace, a brand-new replacement will give you greater peace of mind for performance, comfort, and longevity.

With nearly 50 years of experience under our belts, the experts at Central York can take care of your home's heating needs. Contact us if you need a new furnace for your Central Virginia home.