You likely know when you need to replace most products in our home. For example, your heating and air conditioning system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows should be replaced every couple years. Your smoke detectors must be replaced every ten years. But what about your furnace?
If your furnace has yearly maintenance and is kept in good operation, it can last 10-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start contemplating replacing your furnace with upgraded, more energy-efficient heating equipment. Installed properly, these high-efficiency heating units can save up to 20% on utility costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be working fine, it’s best to start looking 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 the luxury of time and research. When contemplating new furnace options it’s also crucial to consider your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly 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 want to research ahead of time 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 through the end of 2016 and hasn’t been verified past 12/31/16. Follow this link to help find local rebates available in your community : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
One thing to think about if your furnace isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re contemplating replacement is the amount of money you’re spending on fixing your current furnace. You can usually repair a heating system – change a part here, fix a section there – but eventually the cost of repairing your heating system will outweigh the cost of replacing it and that’s when you really need to think about long-term spending. If you are paying for furnace repairs each season, it’s probably time to think about replacement.
If you aren’t positive about your heating system’s ability to get you through the freezing temperatures safe and warm, give Strogen's Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your furnace and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Strogen's is providing discounts on certain home comfort systems so give us a call and find out how much you can save!