You may know when you should replace most products in our home. For example, your HVAC system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows should be replaced every couple years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years. But what about your heating system?
If your heating system has seasonal maintenance and is kept in good operation, 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 equipment with a new, more energy-efficient furnace. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on utility costs. Even if your furnace still seems to be operating fine, it’s best to start doing your research now instead of waiting until your equipment breaks down in the middle of a long freeze and you’re so desperate you can’t properly look into your options. When thinking about new furnace options it’s also critical to consider your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency. A new heating system is only as good as the air duct equipment that it’s installed in.
Another reason to research ahead of time is to see what tax and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Currently, you can earn 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 confirmed past 12/31/16. Use this link to help discover 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 debating replacement is how much you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can usually repair heating equipment – replace a part here, fix a component there – but at some point the cost of repairing your heating system will be greater than the cost of replacing it and at that point you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are repairing your furnace on a yearly basis, it’s probably time to consider replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your furnace’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and cozy, give Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your system and provide any options. Starting December 1st, Service Experts is providing discounts on qualifying HVAC systems so give us a call and find out how much you can save!