We understand 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 five important considerations that Pardee Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of appliance, as furnaces age, the probability of frequent heating repairs increase. If your heating equipment is over 15 years old, those repairs can become significant. 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 Charleston 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 terribly inefficient, wasting up to 40% of the dollars you spend to heat your home. Even newer furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A properly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, lower the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. Remember, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
Pardee Service Experts often receives questions relating to what truly can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many important 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
- Others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified technician who has the education to perform a tune-up must maintain heating equipment once a year. In short, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with dated equipment are some of the more obvious indicators of a need to replace your furnace.
High energy costs and the need to reduce energy consumption are also pressing reasons to consider replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst suggested nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Charleston area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Pardee Service Experts at 843-410-6103.