How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?

You may know when it’s time to replace most products in our home. For example, your heating and cooling system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows require replacement every two years. Your smoke detectors must be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your heating equipment?

If your furnace has annual maintenance and is kept in good operation, it can last 12-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start considering replacing your heating system 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 system still seems to be running fine, it’s best to start looking into your options now instead of waiting until your furnace breaks down in the middle of a deep freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have time to look into your options. When considering new furnace options it’s also important to think about your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. New heating equipment is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.

Another reason you want to research beforehand 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 specific heating and air conditioning equipment – but it’s only until the end of 2016 and hasn’t been approved past 12/31/16. Use this link to help find local rebates available in your community : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.

Something to consider if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re on the fence about replacement is how much you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can normally repair heating equipment – change a part here, fix a component there – but eventually the cost of repairing your heating system will exceed the cost of replacing it and at that point you really need to think about long-term spending. If you are having to repair your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to look into replacement.

If you aren’t sure about your heating system’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 visit your home and inspect your equipment and provide any recommendations. Starting December 1^st, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is providing discounts on qualifying heating and cooling systems so call us and find out how much you can save!