We realize that buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future, but it’s smart to learn the keys that would impact your decision when you do need to buy a new one. Below are the top 5 considerations that Teays Valley Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repairs can become significant. 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 Hurricane area homes today vary significantly and their efficiency directly influences your utility bills. 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 function more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and above all ensure your safety. After all, these are gas-fired appliances. Another important point is a properly serviced furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
Teays Valley Service Experts hears many questions relating to what truly can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many important 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 is needed to maintain heating equipment each year. To put it bluntly, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with dated equipment are a couple of the more obvious signs of a need to replace your furnace.
Excessive energy costs and the need to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to weigh the 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.
Hurricane area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Teays Valley Service Experts at 304-760-5088.