We understand that not everyone may need a new furnace right now, but it’s smart to learn the keys that will likely influence your choice when you are ready to buy. Below are five important considerations that Stevenson Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likeliness of heating repairs increase. If your heating equipment 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 Columbus 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, wasting up to 40% of the dollars you spend to heat your home. Even the latest models of furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A properly maintained furnace will function more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and above all ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly tuned furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.
4. Tune-up Checks
Stevenson Service Experts receives a lot of questions concerning what actually can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many vital 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 technician 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 dated equipment are a few of the more obvious indicators of a need to replace your furnace.
High energy costs and the need to reduce energy consumption are also compelling reasons to contemplate 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.
Columbus area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Stevenson Service Experts at 614-334-3192.