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 the top 5 considerations that Roland J. Down Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Similar to any other appliance, as furnaces age, the likeliness of heating repairs increase. If your heating equipment is over 15 years old, you might start to experience relatively expensive repairs. Some of the typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Albany 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, with up to 40% of your heating dollars going out the window (in a manner of speaking). Even recently manufactured 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 of all ensure your safety. Remember, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly serviced furnace will last longer before replacement is required.
4. Tune-up Checks
Roland J. Down Service Experts hears many questions concerning what really can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many essential 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 insight, tools and expertise to perform a tune-up must maintain heating equipment each year. To put it bluntly, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with dated equipment are some of the more obvious indicators of a need to replace your furnace.
Out of control energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also strong 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.
Albany area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Roland J. Down Service Experts at 518-417-2938.