Everything You Need to Know About Heater Replacements

Integrity Air LLC is proud to provide exceptional heater replacement services in Portland and other surrounding cities. Keeping our clients warm is our top priority. Over the years, we have helped restore heat by performing everything from minor furnace repairs to full heater replacements.

When helping our clients determine whether or not they need a heater replacement, we often receive a lot of questions. Homeowners are curious to understand why their heaters are no longer working, as well as when they need to be replaced completely. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the different parts of your heating system, signs to look for that it is time for a furnace replacement, as well as what to expect during a professional heater installation.

THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF YOUR HEATING SYSTEM

Before we dive more in-depth into discussing heater replacements, it is important to understand a few key definitions. There is a lot to learn when it comes to heaters, furnaces, boilers, and other heating system components. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to make the right decisions regarding your heater replacement. Here are some heating system terms you should be familiar with:

Heaters

The terms “heater” by itself is difficult to define. When homeowners mention their home heaters, they may be referring to certain parts of their heating system or how the system operates in its entirety. Heating systems use gas, oil, water, or electricity to warm up homes and public spaces. Each heating method has various pros and cons. Regardless of what kind of heating system you have in your home, you likely refer to it as your “heater.”

Furnaces

Furnaces are the most common way that families heat their homes. The term furnace comes from the Greek word “fornax,” which means oven. Before they were used to heat homes, furnaces were used like kilns to melt metal, create ceramics, and form tools. The first furnaces were made of stone or clay and used wood or coal to form fire within the furnace.

The furnaces we have today are not nearly as archaic as their predecessors, but they still operate similarly. Modern furnaces use gas or electricity to create heat and are much safer than the original furnace model. When high amounts of heat are produced within the furnace, the heat is then fed through a ventilation system that runs throughout your home.

Boilers

A boiler system is a great way to combine a traditional heating system and one’s hot water heater. Typically, boilers can heat your home and also heat your home’s water. Boilers have been around since the 1700s and use steam instead of air to generate heat. Boilers warm-up the rooms of your home by pushing steam from your pipes to the radiators throughout your house.

Some homeowners prefer boilers since radiant heat can make their homes feel warmer. With forced air systems, such as furnaces, only the air inside a given room is warmed. Since boilers warm-up the structure of your home, and not just the surrounding air, they can provide a more balanced way to heat your home.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are 2-in-1 systems that provide heat during the winter and air conditioning during the summer. During the warmer months, heat from indoors is moved outside. When winter comes, the process is reversed, and warm air is pumped inside. Nearly all heat pump systems use forced, warm-air as a means of heating one’s home. While ground-source heat pumps are an option for homeowners, air-source heat pumps are far more common.

SIGNS IT IS TIME TO REPLACE YOUR FURNACE

Now that you know more about different home heating systems, let’s discuss furnace replacements. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, older furnaces and boiler systems only have between 56% to 70% efficiency rates. With more modern systems, overall efficiency levels reach upwards of 98.5%. Along with the age of your furnace, there are plenty of signs you should look for that indicate you may need a furnace replacement.

As one of the most central components of your heating system, it is critical to make sure your furnace is running properly. If any of the following signs described below are present with your furnace, it is time to consider a replacement.

Your Furnace is Old
Furnaces are only meant to last 15 to 20 years at most. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, you should contact a professional to have it replaced. A lot of homeowners may not know how old their furnaces are, especially if they moved into their lots after the furnace was installed. You can Google the model number and brand of your furnace to determine its age. Or, hire an expert from Integrity Air LLC for an inspection and age assessment.

New Noises Appear
If you hear any rattling, hissing, banging, popping, or other strange noises coming from your furnace, take it as a warning sign. You will want to get in contact with a furnace specialist if any abnormal noises appear overnight or worsen in a matter of days.

Your Home is Heating Unevenly
Worn out furnaces are not nearly as effective at heating your home as newer models. Sometimes the first sign that your furnace is starting to reach its limit is noticing that the rooms in your home are warming up at different rates, or not at all.

Your Home isn’t Heating at All
A lack of heat is an obvious problem. A furnace that is worn out may simply stop heating your home altogether, which is a clear indication that a replacement may be necessary.

Rust is Present on the Furnace or Vents
Rust can become an issue for older furnaces. You may also notice soot and other debris that may appear on your furnace or vents. Any rust build-up should be checked out by a specialist.

Your Utility Bill is Rising
If your furnace is not working as efficiently as it once was, your utility bill will inevitably go up. This is because you may have to run your heater for longer or turn it up higher for it to heat your home adequately.

Repairs are Becoming More Frequent
Frequent repairs are an indication that it may be time to replace your furnace altogether. If you find yourself calling a repairman several times a year for various fixes or adjustments, replacing the system entirely may be your best next step.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME AND FAMILY FOR A HEATER REPLACEMENT

When the day finally arrives for your heater replacement, there are a couple of things you can do to help ensure the installation process goes smoothly. If you are working with Integrity Air LLC, you can rest easy knowing that we will take care of everything involved in your heater replacement from start to finish. However, there are a handful of things homeowners can do to make sure their home and household are prepared for the replacement.

Before your appointment, make sure to remove any items in the way of your heating system. If your heating unit is located in a closet or basement, make sure there is a cleared path to the unit and leave as much space as possible around it. Cleaning the area will help prevent accidents and make for a smoother installation process.

On the day of installation, make sure you secure your pets in a room away from where the installation is taking place. You may also want to leave young children with a babysitter or family member during the day of installation.

Once your heater has been replaced, take a moment to inspect it with your installer. Make sure to perform a test run to ensure that your new heater is running properly. Take the time to ask any questions you may have about maintenance and future repairs.

WORK WITH OUR EXPERTS AT INTEGRITY AIR LLC TODAY!

Do you need help with a heater replacement in Portland? Have you been struggling the past few winters with an inadequate furnace? Don’t suffer any longer in a cold home this year! Instead, call Integrity Air LLC for the best heater replacement services in the Portland-metro area. We offer competitive pricing, flexible scheduling, and exceptional customer service to all of our customers. You can count on us to keep your home and loved ones warm this season.

For heater replacements, repairs, and upgrades, count on Integrity Air LLC. Calling on our experts to help with all of your heating needs is the best way to guarantee a warm and cozy home this winter. Don’t get caught off guard by the cold Pacific Northwest weather. Instead, work with our experts to ensure that your home is comfortable and inviting with a brand-new heater installation from our experts!

Give Integrity Air LLC a call today at (503) 598-0966.