You probably know when it’s time to replace most products in our home. For example, your heating and cooling system air filter needs to be replaced monthly. Your pillows should be replaced every couple years. Your smoke detectors need to be replaced every decade. But what about your heating equipment?
If your heating system has routine maintenance and is kept in good operation, it can last 10-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s likely a good time to start considering replacing your furnace with a new, more energy-efficient furnace. Installed properly, these high-efficiency heating systems can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be working fine, it’s better to start doing your research now instead of waiting until your furnace breaks down in the middle of a long freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have time to look into your options. When thinking about new furnace options it’s also important to take into account your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can seriously affect your home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency. A new furnace is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason to research ahead of time is to see what tax 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 approved past 12/31/16. Use this link to help discover local rebates available in your community : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
Something to take under advisement if your furnace isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re on the fence about replacement is how much you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can usually repair heating equipment – change a part here, fix a piece there – but eventually the cost of repairing your furnace will outweigh the cost of replacing it and then you really need to examine 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 positive about your heating system’s ability to get you through the freezing temperatures safe and warm, give Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your system and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Bryant is providing discounts on certain HVAC systems so give us a call and ask about how much you can save!