Winter in Denver is mild compared to other areas in Colorado. But the Mile-High City still gets bitterly cold. No one wants to wake up in a cold house or confine themselves to one room when the heating stops working. Homeowners who find themselves in this predicament face a tough decision: “Should I repair or replace my furnace?”

Furnace repair could require anything from quick fixes to major repairs. Certain issues are beyond repair and require a replacement instead. Here are a few ways to tell if you should repair or replace your furnace. Remember, when in doubt, call the Denver furnace repair pros!

Signs that you need to repair your furnace

Your heating bill is higher than usual.

If you’re not using more heat but your energy costs have increased, it’s a good idea to book a furnace repair appointment. General wear and tear could decrease the unit’s efficiency. Find a furnace repair service near you to identify and fix the problem.

Your furnace isn’t producing enough heat.

A clogged air filter could be the culprit behind this issue. But if you’ve checked the filter and the furnace still isn’t producing adequate heat, it could be time for a furnace repair. If the furnace is on but heat isn’t blowing through the vents, the blower motor might need replacing.

Be sure to book your furnace repair as soon as possible after noticing issues with heating and ruling out simple fixes. A malfunctioning part increases the risk of other components breaking, which could lead to higher repair costs.

Your furnace makes a lot of noise.

Strange noises like rattling, whistling, and clicking are alarming and obnoxious. The issue could be as simple as a loose screw or as complex as a broken furnace blower motor. No matter what kind of noise you’re hearing, a noisy furnace needs professional attention.

Signs that you need to replace your furnace

Your unit is over 15 years old.

Annual tune-ups are essential for maximizing the lifespan of your unit. Some furnaces can last up to 30 years, but that’s the exception, not the rule. The average lifespan of a furnace is between 12 and 18 years. If your furnace is around the 15-year mark, it’s time to start shopping for a new one.

The cost to repair your current furnace is more than half the cost of replacing it.

A new furnace costs anywhere from $2,500 to over $6,500, according to HomeAdvisor. And that’s not including installation costs.

Most Denver furnace repair professionals will recommend replacing the furnace outright if repair costs exceed half the price of a new furnace. High repair costs often indicate that the unit will need future repairs.

You notice soot around the heating vents.

During an annual inspection, a furnace repair technician will remove any soot built up in the furnace itself. But if there’s soot coming up through your vents, call the pros immediately.

Soot in the vents could mean there’s too much carbon dioxide in your furnace. This can damage furniture and impact indoor air quality. Inhaling the soot could also cause breathing problems and other symptoms.

Soot could also be a sign of a dangerous explosion within the furnace called a puff back. A puff back occurs when excess fuel builds up in the combustion chamber. As soon as you notice soot in your vents or smell burning, call an emergency furnace repair service near you.