How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You likely know when you should replace most things in our home. For example, your heating and air conditioning system air filter should be replaced each month. Your pillows require replacement every two years. Your smoke detectors must be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your furnace?
If your heating system has routine maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 12-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s likely a good time to start thinking about replacing your furnace with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed appropriately, these high-efficiency heating systems can save up to 20% on energy costs. Even if your furnace still seems to be running fine, it’s better to start doing your research now instead of waiting until your furnace breaks down in the middle of a deep freeze and you’re so desperate you can’t properly 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 dramatically affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. A new heating system is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you need to research in advance is to see what manufacturer rebates and tax credits are available to you. This year, you can earn U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific heating and air conditioning equipment – but it’s only before the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Follow this link to help locate local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
Another thing to think about if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re on the fence about replacement is how much you’re spending on repairs. You can typically repair a furnace – replace a part here, fix a section there – but eventually the cost of repairing your heating system will be greater than the cost of replacing it and that’s when you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are repairing your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to think about replacement.
If you aren’t positive about your furnace’s ability to get you through the winter safe and toasty, give A1 Chesney Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your system and provide any recommendations. Starting December 1st, A1 Chesney Service Experts is providing discounts on qualifying home comfort systems so give us a call and ask about how much you can save!
