We understand that buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future, but it’s important to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are the top 5 considerations that Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of 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. 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 Denver 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 correctly maintained furnace will run more efficiently, lower the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. Remember, these are gas-fired appliances. Another important point is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is required.
4. Tune-up Checks
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning often receives questions concerning what truly 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
- Others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified professional who has the knowledge, skills and experience to perform a tune-up must maintain heating equipment once a year. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with aged equipment are a couple of the more obvious signals of a need to replace your furnace.
Out of control energy costs and the need to reduce energy consumption are also compelling reasons to weigh the replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Denver area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 303-647-5853.