When fall rolls around, it is time to start thinking about your furnace. If your furnace is in good shape, you may only need to schedule some preventative maintenance from B&L Ott to keep in that way. However, if your furnace has been struggling lately, you may want to consider a replacement.

Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to determine if you should replace your furnace or not. If you need help making your decision, let the professionals at B&L Ott near Reading, PA help you. Check out these helpful tips below, then call us if you need more help.
Signs You Should Consider a Replacement
The first thing you need to know is how to tell if your furnace isn’t going to last much longer. Below are three main aspects to pay attention to.
Poor Performance
When it comes to your furnace, one of the main goals is to maximize efficiency. Good efficiency helps you save your hard-earned money and helps ensure comfort for your family. If your furnace has been performing poorly lately (and you have been keeping up with maintenance), it may be a good sign that you should highly consider replacing your system this year rather than waiting a year.
Major Issues
Outside of just poor performance, there are also other major issues you may want to pay attention too. This includes rust, erosion, leaks, strange sounds, and strange smells. If you have only experienced one major issue, your furnace may only need a repair. However, if your system has been experiencing more problems, it may be nearing a total system breakdown.
Age
Most furnaces generally last about 15-30 years. However, each one has its own life expectancy. It is a good idea to keep the life expectancy in mind when deciding if you want to replace your furnace or not. If your system is nearing the end of its life expectancy, the decision can be rather simple.
Consequences of Waiting

Safety
If your furnace is old, one of your main concerns should be safety. Older furnaces are more prone to issues that pose a risk to your family. For instance, carbon monoxide is one of the biggest threats. If your furnace leaks carbon monoxide, it can pose a serious or even deadly risk for your family. Along with carbon monoxide, there is also the potential of gas leaks or fires.
Breakdowns
Yet another consequence of waiting till next year is the potential for a breakdown. No one wants their furnace to break down during the coldest days of winter. If your system is old and has issues, the chances of this happening are greater. While B&L Ott near Reading, PA offers quick emergency repairs, a breakdown can still be stressful. Replacing your system now rather than later helps you avoid a headache later.
Price
While a repair is often cheaper than buying a brand new system, getting a repair and then a new system next year will cost you more in the long run. Not only is the repair extra money, but your old furnace is not as efficient as newer models. The money you can save over time on energy bills with a new more efficient system is significant. Therefore, talking to B&L Ott about replacing your furnace this year will likely provide you with more benefits.