We realize that not everyone may need a new furnace right now, but it’s smart to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are the top 5 considerations that Matz-Rightway advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repair can be especially expensive. More common and costly repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Long Island area homes today can vary widely and has a direct correlation to the amount of money you pay your utility company each month. Furnaces older than 15 years can be extremely inefficient, resulting in up to 40% of your home energy dollars being wasted. Even newer furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A properly maintained furnace will run more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and most of all ensure your safety. After all, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point worth mentioning is a properly serviced furnace will last longer before replacement is required.
4. Tune-up Checks
Matz-Rightway hears many questions relating to what actually can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many essential checks and calibrations in the process:
- Gas Pressure and gas valve calibration
- Cleaning and checking safety switches
- Cleaning the heat exchanger
- Inspecting the heat exchanger for dangerous conditions
- Cleaning the blower system
- Cleaning and replacement of worn ignition sensors
- And many others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified professional who has the knowledge, skills and experience to perform a tune-up is needed to maintain heating equipment once a year. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with aged equipment are a few of the more obvious signals of a need to replace your furnace.
Out of control energy costs and the interest to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to weigh the replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst stated that nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Long Island area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Matz-Rightway at 631-406-9220.