How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You may know when you need to replace most things in our home. For example, your heating and air conditioning system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows need to be replaced every two years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your heating system?
If your heating equipment has annual maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 12-20 years. Once your heating system reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start considering replacing your heating system with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed properly, these high-efficiency heating units can save up to 20% on utility costs. Even if your furnace still seems to be running fine, it’s ideal to start looking now instead of waiting until your furnace breaks down in the middle of a terrible freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have the luxury of time and research. When thinking about new furnace options it’s also critical to consider your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency. A new furnace is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you want to research in advance is to see what tax credits and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Currently, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for qualifying HVAC equipment – but it’s only before the end of 2016 and hasn’t been approved past 12/31/16. Follow this link to help find local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
Something to consider if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re on the fence about replacement is the amount of money you’re spending on repairs. You can normally repair a heating system – replace a part here, fix a component there – but at some point the cost of repairing your heating equipment will be greater than the cost of replacing it and that’s when you really need to think about long-term spending. If you are repairing your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to consider replacement.
If you aren’t positive about your heating equipment’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and warm, give Donelson Air Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to go out and inspect your equipment and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Donelson Air is providing discounts on certain home comfort systems so give us a call and find out how much you can save!
