How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You may know when it’s time to replace most things in our home. For example, your HVAC system air filter needs to be replaced monthly. Your pillows require replacement every two years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every decade. But what about your heating equipment?
If your heating equipment has yearly maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 15-20 years. Once your heating equipment reaches 15 years of age , it’s likely a good time to start thinking about replacing your heating equipment with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed appropriately, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on energy costs. Even if your heating system still seems to be running fine, it’s ideal to start doing your research 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 contemplating new furnace options it’s also critical to consider your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can seriously affect your home’s overall comfort and effectiveness. A new heating system is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason to research in advance is to see what manufacturer rebates and tax credits are available to you. Currently, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for certain heating and cooling equipment – but it’s only before the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Use this link to help discover local rebates available in your region : 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 how much you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can usually repair a heating system – change a part here, fix a component there – but in the end the cost of repairing your heating equipment will outweigh the cost of replacing it and that’s when you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are paying for furnace repairs 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 cold season safe and cozy, give Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your furnace and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is providing discounts on qualifying HVAC systems so give us a call and find out how much you can save!
