Considering the record heat waves, fires, and general unpleasantness associated with high temperatures we’ve all had to deal with this summer, it may seem a little weird to talk about heating systems right now. Still, summer is coming to an end pretty soon. You need to make sure that your home’s heating situation is all set up now, so you don’t have to scramble to get it taken care of closer to the start of the season.

For most people, getting their home ready for fall is as simple as scheduling preventive maintenance for their heating systems. If your current heating system isn’t up to the task of getting you through another heating season, though, now would be a good time to replace it. The following are just a few of the signs that you should contact a professional technician about replacing your heating system.

SPIKES IN HEATING COSTS

Relying on your heater on a daily basis is obviously going to drive up your home’s operating costs compared to the months when you don’t use it that often. You should keep an eye on your monthly bills, though, and call for a technician if they start to spike beyond what your current usage would explain. A system that is costing way more to operate than it should be is likely getting close to the end of its life. The wear and tear on the system is causing it to lose efficiency, which is in-turn resulting in longer operating times and higher costs.

HIGHER REPAIR FREQUENCY

If your heater is breaking down multiple times a year, or even once a year, you need to talk to a professional about whether or not it’s time to replace it. Breaking down that frequently is a sign that years of use are taking a severe toll on the system, resulting in the parts inside it breaking down in groups. The longer the system is in use, the worse this issue is going to get. If your heater is at this point, you have two choices. You can replace the entire system now, and save yourself a lot of money and frustration in the long run, or you can waste time and resources replacing your current system one part at a time.

OLD AGE

The older a heating system gets, the more likely it will be to accumulate chronic and severe issues like those we discussed above. The average heater can be expected to last around 10-15 years before developing problems so severe that it needs to be replaced. You might go as long as 20 years with a system like a boiler, since they are less prone to developing issues. Regardless, once your heater gets past the age of 15 you should seriously consider talking to a technician about installing a new one.

Of course, it’s important to remember that these are just general guidelines for determining when it’s time to replace your heating system. You should always have a professional examine your heater before making any permanent decisions about replacing it.