You likely know when it’s time to 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 need to be replaced every decade. But what about your heating system?
If your furnace has annual maintenance and is kept in good working order, it can last 15-20 years. Once your heating equipment reaches 15 years of age , it’s really a good time to start contemplating replacing your furnace with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency heating systems can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be running fine, it’s best to start looking 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 the luxury of time and research. When considering 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 air duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you want to research in advance is to see what tax and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Currently, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for qualifying heating and air conditioning equipment – but it’s only until the end of 2016 and hasn’t been confirmed past 12/31/16. Use this link to help discover 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 on the fence about replacement is what amount you’re spending on repairing your current system. You can normally repair a furnace – swap out a part here, fix a piece there – but eventually the cost of repairing your furnace will be greater than the cost of replacing it and that’s when you really need to consider long-term spending. If you are having to repair your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to think about replacement.
If you aren’t positive about your heating equipment’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and cozy, give Roland J. Down Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to go out and inspect your system and provide any suggestions. Starting December 1st, Roland J. Down is providing discounts on specific heating and cooling systems so give us a call and discover how much you can save!