Furnaces are complicated machines with many moving parts. Depending on the age of yours or its environment, you may need to consider replacing it sooner rather than later. If your home’s ductwork is old and in poor repair, it could be introducing more drafts and cold spots. If it’s older than 20 years, it’s likely that it will require some repair work sooner than later. Likewise, if your home’s foundation is sinking or if you live in an area that has extremely cold winters, you may need a new furnace right away. However, if your home is in good condition, you should be able to extend the life of your furnace by several years. Here’s how to know if yours needs replacing:

Before you replace your old furnace, you need to make sure that you’re bringing in adequate airflow. To do this, you should have your cooling efficiency tested. If the cooling efficiency is below 80%, you’ll need to replace your furnace sooner rather than later. This is because an 80% cooling efficiency means that 80% of the space in your home is properly cooled. If it’s less than that, the remaining 20% of the home won’t be cooled properly. It can also be helpful to have an HVAC technician check your ductwork to make sure it’s properly sized for your home’s cooling needs.

This one is a little less obvious, but it’s just as important. If your heating efficiency is below 50%, you’ll want to replace your furnace. This is because a 50% heating efficiency means that 50% of the space in your home is properly heated. A heating efficiency this low means that your heating system is inadequate and not doing its job. It could be that your ductwork is in poor repair, or that your HVAC system is too old to efficiently heat your home.

If the ductwork in your home is more than 20 years old, you’re likely to experience drafts and cold spots. Even if your ductwork is in good repair, it’s likely to wear out after 20 years. If your ductwork is in poor repair, you may need to replace it sooner rather than later. If you experience drafts or cold spots, you may need to add insulation and weather stripping to your ductwork to make sure that it’s properly sealed. You can also try to seal any holes or cracks in your ductwork. If you live in a very cold climate, you may need to replace your HVAC system. You can also add insulation to your home’s attic to help prevent drafts.

This step may seem silly, but it’s important to regularly inspect the inside of your HVAC system. This is because an HVAC system that’s been in operation for 20 years will likely show signs of wear and tear. You may notice that your air filter is dirty and that your coils are dirty. If you notice this, you should have them cleaned out as soon as possible.

Furnaces are a crucial part of your home and should be maintained on a regular basis. If your furnace is over 20 years old, it may be time for a replacement.