How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You may know when you need to replace most products in our home. For example, your heating and cooling system air filter needs to be replaced monthly. Your pillows need to be replaced every two years. Your smoke detectors need to be replaced every decade. But what about your heating system?
If your furnace has yearly maintenance and is kept in good operation, it can last 10-20 years. Once your heating system reaches 15 years of age , it’s really a good time to start thinking about replacing your furnace with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed properly, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your furnace still seems to be operating fine, it’s best to start looking into your options now instead of waiting until your system breaks down in the middle of a long freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have time to look into your options. When considering new furnace options it’s also critical to take into account your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. A new heating system is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason to research ahead of time is to see what manufacturer rebates and tax credits are available to you. This year, you can earn U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific heating and air conditioning equipment – but it’s only through the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Use this link to help locate 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 debating replacement is the amount of money you’re spending on repairs. You can usually repair a heating system – swap out a part here, fix a section there – but in the end the cost of repairing your heating equipment will outweigh the cost of replacing it and then you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are repairing your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to look into replacement.
If you aren’t confident about your furnace’s ability to get you through the freezing temperatures safe and cozy, give Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning a call and we’d be happy to visit your home and inspect your furnace and provide any options. Starting December 1st, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is providing discounts on qualifying home comfort systems so call us and ask about how much you can save!
