How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?

You likely know when you need to replace most products in our home. For example, your heating and cooling system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows should be replaced every couple years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every decade. But what about your heating equipment?

If your furnace has routine maintenance and is kept in good working order, it can last 12-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start contemplating replacing your heating system with a new, more energy-efficient furnace. Installed properly, these high-efficiency heating units can save up to 20% on utility costs. Even if your heating system still seems to be running fine, it’s ideal to start looking into your options now instead of waiting until your furnace 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 critical to take into account your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can seriously 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 to research ahead of time is to see what manufacturer rebates and tax credits are available to you. Right now, you can earn U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for qualifying heating and cooling equipment – but it’s only through the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Use this link to help locate local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.

Something to take under advisement if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re on the fence about replacement is what amount you’re spending on repairs. You can usually repair a heating system – change a part here, fix a piece there – but in the end 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 having to repair your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to consider replacement.

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