How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You may know when it’s time to replace most items 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 must be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your furnace?
If your furnace has annual maintenance and is kept in good operation, it can last 10-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s really a good time to start contemplating replacing your heating system with upgraded, more energy-efficient heating equipment. Installed properly, these high-efficiency heating systems can save up to 20% on energy costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be working fine, it’s ideal to start doing your research now instead of waiting until your equipment breaks down in the middle of a long freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have the luxury of time and research. When considering new furnace options it’s also important to take into account your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall comfort and effectiveness. A new furnace is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason to research in advance is to see what tax and manufacturer rebates are available to you. This year, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific HVAC equipment – but it’s only before the end of 2016 and hasn’t been approved past 12/31/16. Use this link to help find local rebates available in your region : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
Another thing to think about if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re contemplating replacement is the amount of money you’re spending on fixing your current furnace. You can usually repair heating equipment – swap out a part here, fix a component there – but in the end the cost of repairing your heating equipment will be greater than the cost of replacing it and then you really need to examine long-term spending. If you are paying for furnace repairs each season, it’s probably time to look into replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your heating equipment’s ability to get you through the winter safe and warm, give Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing a call and we’d be happy to visit your home and inspect your furnace and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is providing discounts on specific home comfort systems so contact us and discover how much you can save!
