You may know when you should replace most products in our home. For example, your HVAC system air filter should be replaced each month. Your pillows need to be replaced every two years. Your smoke detectors must be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your furnace?
If your furnace has seasonal maintenance and is kept in good operation, it can last 15-20 years. Once your heating system reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start considering replacing your furnace with a new, more energy-efficient furnace. Installed appropriately, these high-efficiency heating units can save up to 20% on energy costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be operating fine, it’s ideal to start looking now instead of waiting until your system breaks down in the middle of a long freeze and you’re so desperate you can’t properly look into your options. When contemplating 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. 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. Right now, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific HVAC equipment – but it’s only before the end of 2016 and hasn’t been approved past 12/31/16. Use this link to help discover local rebates available in your community : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
Something to take under advisement if your equipment isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re contemplating replacement is what amount you’re spending on fixing your current furnace. You can typically repair a heating system – change a part here, fix a piece there – but in the end the cost of repairing your furnace will be greater than the cost of replacing it and then you really need to think about long-term spending. If you are having to repair your furnace each season, it’s probably time to look into replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your heating equipment’s ability to get you through the winter 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 is providing discounts on specific home comfort systems so give us a call and discover how much you can save!