We understand that not everyone may need a new furnace right now, but it’s important to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are five considerations that R & M Climate Control Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of appliance, as furnaces age, the likeliness of heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, you might start to experience relatively expensive repairs. More common and costly repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Knoxville area homes today can vary widely and has a direct correlation to the amount of money you pay your utility company each month. Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient, with up to 40% of your heating dollars going out the window (in a manner of speaking). Even the latest models of furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A properly maintained furnace will run more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point worth mentioning is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
R & M Climate Control Service Experts hears many questions pertaining to what actually can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many essential checks and calibrations in the process:
- Gas Pressure and gas valve calibration
- Cleaning and checking safety switches
- Cleaning the heat exchanger
- Inspecting the heat exchanger for dangerous conditions
- Cleaning the blower system
- Cleaning and replacement of worn ignition sensors
- Much more...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified professional who has the skill and hands-on experience to perform a tune-up is needed to maintain heating equipment each year. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with old equipment are some of the more obvious signals of a need to replace your furnace.
High energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to contemplate replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst stated that nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Knoxville area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call R & M Climate Control Service Experts at 865-229-6176.