5 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Heating Unit

If you live in Central PA, you know that over the past couple of months the temperature has been dropping, which means that the heat in your home has probably been kicking on more often to compensate for the cold.

If you’ve noticed that your heating unit is trying a little harder to keep up, your unit might be trying to tell you something. Continue reading to see if your primary heating unit is showing any of these five signs, which means it’s time to be replaced.

Sign #1 – Increase in Energy Bills

Have you been monitoring your energy bills and noticed significant increases year over year? You should expect some fluctuations in the costs of fuel and electric, but if you are seeing more than a little increase, you should be concerned. If you have noticed that your house is requiring more electric or fuel to heat your home to a level that is comfortable for you, then it might be time for you to consider purchasing a new heating unit.

If you haven’t been keeping track of your energy usage, that’s okay! You can still log into your energy accounts (PPL Electric and UGI show graphs of your usage month to month) and see if you notice any major increases. Take into account that there will be fluctuations due to weather and your temperature preference.

Just remember if you do see a drastic change, there may be a bigger issue than your home trying to compensate for the dropping temperatures outside.

Sign #2 – Use of the Auxiliary Heat

As your heating unit continues to underperform, you may notice that your auxiliary heat has been turning on to make up for the main heating source in your home. If you recognize this, it means that your main heat is struggling to function. The use of backup heat is usually very costly and you will want to catch the problem sooner rather than later.

Try to be aware of this sign because it could cost you a lot of money in a very short amount of time. Is your electric heating source coming on even when the temperature outside is above 35 degrees? If the answer is yes, something may be wrong with your main heating unit, and you should have a professional come service your unit.

Sign #3 – Fixing Expensive Repairs

With an older unit, it’s more likely that expensive repairs will occur. If you’ve had to replace a heat exchanger or an igniter recently, you know exactly how costly those repairs can be. Bad news, that probably won’t be the last repair you make this winter.

The good news is that you can get a new heating unit at a price that is relatable to you and your monthly budget with our Carrier Financing program. Ease your fear of having to pay for another hefty service bill and replace your unit before it gets the best of your wallet.

Sign #4 – Making Odd Sounds

You know the behavior of your home’s heating unit better than anyone else. Have you heard a few unusual noises or loud rattling when your unit turns on? Listen for sounds that resemble thumping, rattling, clanking, or banging. Those noises could mean that your blower assembly or motor is having problems. Alternatively, a squealing or screeching noise may mean that a belt in your unit has gone bad or the motor bearing is having issues.

Sign #5 – Visible Signs of Rust

Lastly, if you have noticed rust on your indoor heating unit, you may want to examine the machine a little closer and call a professional to check out what the problem is. Most aged furnaces will probably have some sort of rust on them due to the natural reaction of metal, oxygen, and water. Rust on an old furnace may indicates that it’s time for a new furnace. If you notice rust on a new furnace, you should be more cautious due to the fact that it will lead to some serious problems.

If your furnace or heat pump has shown any of these five signs, you will want to contact a professional to come inspect your unit for any major issues. Call RSC Heating & Air Conditioning to help keep you comfortable in your home and your energy costs down this winter.