Imagine this: it’s a cold winter day and your old furnace suddenly stops working. One of the great technicians at Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning comes over and determines that your unit needs some hefty repairs. Now you’re faced with the question, “Do I move forward with the repairs, or is it time for a new furnace?”
This is a very big decision and one that you shouldn’t have to make alone. That’s why we wanted to provide you with some things you can look for to determine when to replace your furnace.
When to replace your furnace: 5 things to consider
- Age of your furnace. How many years have you had the current furnace in your home? On average, furnaces have a lifespan of about 15 years. If your furnace is over 15 years old and is having performance problems, it’s likely a good time to replace it. But even if your furnace is 10 years old or older, you’ll want to consider the points below before making your decision.
- The efficiency of your current unit. New models of furnaces have improved dramatically in efficiency over the past couple of decades. If you have an older furnace, it likely consumes much more energy than these newer models, resulting in higher energy bills. Another thing to look for is whether or not your current furnace has the Energy Star label. Energy Star-labeled furnaces are about 15% more efficient than conventional models.
- Repair history. Are you calling your repairman every year for problems with your furnace? Those repairs will add up quickly, and eventually, it won’t make sense to keep investing in a unit that’s beyond saving. If you’re facing repair bills that are as high as 50 percent of the cost of a new furnace, your money would be much better spent on a new unit.
- Comfort levels in your home. Does your home simply not heat the way it used to? Are there certain rooms that used to be comfortable that now just can’t seem to stay warm? Older furnaces can develop performance problems over the years, and it can be frustrating to put money into a unit that’s not even doing its job. If your furnace is not properly heating your home, your family and your energy bills would probably be much better off with a new furnace.
- Maintenance history. The lifespan of a furnace is directly related to how well it’s taken care of every year. If you haven’t kept up with your filter changes or had your unit tuned up every year, you’ll need to replace it much sooner than you would if it has been well-maintained.
If you have any questions about when to replace your furnace, or if you’d like a heating and cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
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