Does it feel freezing in your house no matter how high you crank up the heat? Your heating system might be on its way out.
An old, dying heating system will struggle to keep your home warm and suck up more energy in the process, driving up your heating costs. Replacing it will solve the problem, but a heating system replacement can be expensive and you want to be sure it’s time before you make a big investment.
In this guide, we cover the signs you need a new heating system to help you decide. We also recommend the best types of energy efficient heating systems to install if you want to increase comfort while saving on energy costs.
Signs You Need a New Heating System
If you’ve noticed any of the following signs, call Total Home Performance for a heating system evaluation. It might be time for a replacement.
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Heating System Age
Heating systems don’t last forever. Most have about 15-20 good years in them with proper maintenance. If yours is older, it may be due for a replacement.
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Rising Energy Bills
If your energy bills are going up but your rate and thermostat settings have stayed the same, your heating system could be to blame. Older units lose efficiency over time, causing them to work harder and use more energy.
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Frequent Repairs
The occasional heating system repair is nothing to worry about, but if you’re calling for repairs all the time, you have a problem. Repair costs add up and, in many cases, it’s more affordable to replace the system. A good rule of thumb: if the repair cost is 50% or more than the cost of a new system, buy the new system.
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Poor or Inconsistent Heat
Your heating system’s job is to keep your home warm. If it’s not meeting your needs, it’s time to think about a replacement. Uneven heating, cold rooms, and a house that always feels cold are signs your system is struggling to distribute heat properly and needs to be replaced.
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Strange Noises or Smells
If your heating system makes banging, clanking, or grinding noises, or emits unusual smells (like burning), there could be something seriously wrong with your system. A repair might do the trick, but it’s worth having your heating system inspected to determine whether it needs to be replaced.
You Need a Heating Replacement—Now What?
Realizing that you need to replace your heating system is stressful. But it can also be exciting! Heating systems last a long time, which means this is a rare opportunity to make a significant improvement to your home.
To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to choose a high-efficiency heating system and make sure your home is ready to support it.
Preparing Your Home for a Heating System Replacement
A well-insulated and air sealed home is the key to comfort and energy savings. If you don’t have enough insulation or your home is full of air leaks, your new, high-efficiency heating system won’t perform to its full potential. That means you’re missing out on comfort and energy bill savings.
Total Home Performance can evaluate your insulation and help you decide whether it needs to be improved before you install a new heating system. As a whole-home energy efficiency expert, we understand the connection between your insulation and your heating system and will use this evaluation to determine whether a furnace replacement is really necessary. With the right insulation upgrades, you might be able to get a few more years out of your current heating system!
Choosing the Best Heating System Replacement
There are several types of heating systems you can install, and we can help you choose the right fit for your home and budget.
Heat Pumps HVAC Systems
A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling system, which means you’re getting two upgrades for the price of one. It’s highly energy efficient and runs on electricity instead of burning fuel inside your home, eliminating the risk of a gas leak and keeping pollutants out of your home. Plus, they qualify for rebates and incentives. You can save $2,000 on a new heat pump HVAC system with the federal heat pump tax credit. You may also be eligible for Delmarva Power or BGE rebates. As a qualified contractor with both utilities, we can help you claim your savings!
At Total Home Performance, we install high-efficiency ducted heat pumps and ductless mini split heat pumps.
- Ducted heat pumps - Connect to your air duct system and provide central heating and AC for your home.
- Ductless mini split heat pumps - Deliver heat and AC directly to the rooms they’re installed in.
High-Efficiency Furnaces
A furnace is a combustion heating system that burns fuel like gas or oil to heat your home. We install high-efficiency furnaces that provide reliable, powerful heating while minimizing energy consumption. A high-efficiency furnace can reduce your utility bills, especially if you’re upgrading from an old and inefficient system while keeping your home warm and comfortable during the coldest months.
High-Efficiency Boilers
Boilers use fuel like gas, oil, or propane to either create steam or heat water, which is then transferred to a radiator or baseboard heating system and used to heat your home. Modern models use condensing technology to capture and reuse heat that would otherwise be lost through the exhaust, achieving higher energy efficiency ratings. A boiler can be a good option for homes with radiant floor heating, baseboard heating, or traditional radiators.