How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You likely know when you need to replace most products in our home. For example, your heating and air conditioning system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows should be replaced every couple years. Your smoke detectors must be replaced every ten years. But what about your furnace?
If your heating system has seasonal maintenance and is kept in good working order, it can last 15-20 years. Once your heating equipment 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 appropriately, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your furnace still seems to be running fine, it’s best to start looking now instead of waiting until your equipment breaks down in the middle of a terrible 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 think about your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can seriously affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. New heating equipment is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you want to research beforehand is to see what tax and manufacturer rebates are available to you. This year, you can earn U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for certain heating and cooling equipment – but it’s only through the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Visit this link to help locate local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
One thing to take under advisement if your equipment 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 typically repair a heating system – change a part here, fix a piece there – but eventually the cost of repairing your heating equipment will exceed the cost of replacing it and at that point you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are paying for furnace repairs on a yearly basis, it’s probably time to consider replacement.
If you aren’t confident about your heating system’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 come out and inspect your equipment and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is providing discounts on certain heating and cooling systems so contact us and find out how much you can save!