How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?

You likely know when you should replace most items 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 need to be replaced every ten years. But what about your furnace?

If your furnace has yearly maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 15-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start thinking about replacing your heating system with upgraded, more energy-efficient heating equipment. Installed appropriately, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on energy costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be working 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 thinking about new furnace options it’s also crucial to consider your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can dramatically affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. New heating equipment is only as good as the air duct system that it’s installed in.

Another reason you want to research ahead of time is to see what tax and manufacturer rebates are available to you. This year, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific heating and cooling equipment – but it’s only through the end of 2016 and hasn’t been verified 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 on the fence about replacement is the amount of money you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can normally repair heating equipment – swap out 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 repairing your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to consider replacement.

If you aren’t sure about your heating equipment’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and cozy, give Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your furnace and provide any options. Starting December 1^st, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is providing discounts on specific HVAC systems so call us and find out how much you can save!