You likely 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 should be replaced every couple years. Your smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years. But what about your heating equipment?
If your furnace has yearly maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 15-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start considering replacing your furnace with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency heating units can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be operating fine, it’s better to start doing your research now instead of waiting until your system breaks down in the middle of a deep freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have time to look into your options. When contemplating new furnace options it’s also important to consider your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can seriously affect your home’s overall energy efficiency and comfort. A new heating system is only as good as the air duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you want to research in advance is to see what tax credits and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Right now, you can get U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for certain HVAC equipment – but it’s only until the end of 2016 and hasn’t been verified past 12/31/16. Visit this link to help locate local rebates available in your region : 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 the amount of money you’re spending on repairs. You can normally repair a furnace – replace a part here, fix a component there – but eventually the cost of repairing your heating system will outweigh the cost of replacing it and then you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are repairing your furnace each season, it’s probably time to consider replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your furnace’s ability to get you through the freezing temperatures safe and cozy, give Pardee Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to go out and inspect your system and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Pardee is providing discounts on certain heating and cooling systems so call us and discover how much you can save!