How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You likely know when you should replace most items in our home. For example, your HVAC system air filter needs to be replaced monthly. Your pillows need to be replaced every two years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every decade. But what about your furnace?
If your heating system has routine maintenance and is kept in good working order, it can last 12-20 years. Once your heating equipment reaches 15 years of age , it’s really a good time to start contemplating replacing your heating system with a new, more energy-efficient furnace. Installed properly, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be running fine, it’s best to start looking into your options now instead of waiting until your system breaks down in the middle of a deep freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have time to look into your options. When thinking about new furnace options it’s also important to consider 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 air duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you need to research in advance is to see what tax credits and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Currently, you can earn U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific HVAC equipment – but it’s only until the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Use this link to help discover local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
Another thing 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 repairing your current system. You can usually repair a furnace – swap out a part here, fix a component there – but eventually the cost of repairing your furnace will be greater than the cost of replacing it and at that point you really need to examine long-term spending. If you are having to repair your furnace on a yearly basis, it’s probably time to think about replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your furnace’s ability to get you through the freezing temperatures safe and warm, give Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your furnace and provide any recommendations. Starting December 1st, Service Experts is providing discounts on specific HVAC systems so contact us and ask about how much you can save!