How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You likely know when you need to replace most items in our home. For example, your heating and cooling system air filter needs to be replaced monthly. Your pillows require replacement every two years. Your smoke detectors need to be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your furnace?
If your heating system has yearly maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 12-20 years. Once your heating equipment reaches 15 years of age , it’s likely a good time to start contemplating replacing your heating equipment with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency heating systems can save up to 20% on utility costs. Even if your heating system 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 time to look into your options. When considering new furnace options it’s also important to think about your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. 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 and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Right now, you can get 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 verified past 12/31/16. Use this link to help find local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
One thing to take under advisement if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re contemplating replacement is the amount of money you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can usually repair a furnace – replace a part here, fix a section there – but eventually the cost of repairing your heating equipment will be greater than the cost of replacing it and at that point you really need to think about 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 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 system and provide any options. Starting December 1st, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is providing discounts on certain HVAC systems so give us a call and ask about how much you can save!
