One of the essentials of having a comfortable home is a safe, reliable and efficient heating system. It is important that your heating system does not endanger your indoor air quality and heats up your home without using too much energy. While this is not an issue for new and well- maintained Furnace, time will come when your furnace will be on its last leg. Here are 5 warning signs your need furnace replacement.

1. Your furnace has reached its life expectancy. The average life expectancy of a furnace is between 15 to 18 years, depending on how well it is maintained. If your furnace is already somewhere in that range, it’s time to shop for a new one. Don’t wait for your old unit to die on you in the middle of the winter season.

1. Increase in energy and gas bill. Your furnace loses its efficiency over time due to the usual wear and tear. It will take longer to heat up and will be using more energy and gas. Furnace replacement using a new Energy Star model can save you as low as 15% in energy costs, while higher efficiency models can even help save as much as 30%.

1. It is costing you more to repair than to purchase one. If you have spent more time, money and effort in repairing your old furnace, it is a good time to trade up. Know that the older your furnace is the harder it is to get parts for replacement which means waiting in the cold. Not really the best idea.

1. Your furnace is making noises. If you frequently hear popping and rattling noises coming from the inside of your furnace, it could mean that it is near the end of its last hurrah. Watch out for other signs of furnace distress such as thermostat fluctuations and the furnace constantly shutting off.

1. Watch out for a yellow burner flame. The flame in your burner should burn blue. Anytime it burns yellow is a sign that your furnace may be producing carbon monoxide. Cracks in the heat exchanger can also cause carbon monoxide to leak and build up in your home. Remember that carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless and very much toxic. It is important to be on the look-out for CO2 poisoning symptoms, have a working carbon monoxide monitor at home and consider furnace replacement even before you encounter this fatal problem.

One last note on buying a new furnace, treat furnace replacement as part of your home improvement plan and not as an emergency purchase.