You probably know when you should replace most items in our home. For example, your heating and air conditioning system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows require replacement every two years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your heating system?
If your furnace 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 probably a good time to start thinking about replacing your furnace with a new, more energy-efficient furnace. Installed appropriately, these high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 20% on utility costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be working fine, it’s ideal to start looking into your options now instead of waiting until your furnace breaks down in the middle of a terrible freeze and you’re so desperate you can’t properly 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 air duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason to research in advance is to see what tax credits and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Right now, you can earn U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for qualifying heating and air conditioning equipment – but it’s only before the end of 2016 and hasn’t been verified past 12/31/16. Use this link to help find local rebates available in your area : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
One thing to take under advisement if your system isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re contemplating replacement is how much you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can typically repair heating equipment – change a part here, fix a section there – but in the end the cost of repairing your heating system will outweigh 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 confident about your heating system’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and cozy, give Stevenson Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to go out and inspect your furnace and provide any options. Starting December 1st, Stevenson Service Experts is providing discounts on certain home comfort systems so give us a call and find out how much you can save!