How Often You Should Replace Your Furnace?
You likely know when you need to replace most things 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 need to be replaced every ten years. But what about your furnace?
If your heating equipment has seasonal maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 15-20 years. Once your heating equipment reaches 15 years of age , it’s likely a good time to start considering replacing your furnace with upgraded, more energy-efficient heating equipment. Installed appropriately, these high-efficiency heating systems 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 now instead of waiting until your system breaks down in the middle of a terrible freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have the luxury of time and research. When considering new furnace options it’s also crucial 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 to research beforehand 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 air conditioning 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 community : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
One thing to take under advisement if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re debating replacement is what amount you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can typically repair a furnace – swap out a part here, fix a component there – but at some point the cost of repairing your furnace will exceed the cost of replacing it and then you really need to think about long-term spending. If you are paying for furnace repairs on a yearly basis, it’s probably time to consider replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your heating system’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and cozy, give Matz-Rightway a call and we’d be happy to go out and inspect your equipment and provide any options. Starting December 1st, Service Experts is providing discounts on qualifying heating and cooling systems so contact us and find out how much you can save!
