How do you know when it’s time to replace your furnace in your Easton, Maryland, home? Replacing a furnace is a big decision, but it may be necessary if your heating bills are increasing, if you’re paying a lot to repair your furnace, or if your home isn’t being adequately heated. Let’s look at a few things that you should consider when deciding between replacing and repairing your furnace.
The Age of Your Furnace
Heating systems are not designed to last forever. Eventually, they just wear out. In general, furnaces should be replaced if they are over 15 years old. You can also use this helpful rule of thumb to help you figure out if your system is too old to run efficiently: If the furnace is beyond three-quarters of its life expectancy, and if your repair bills are more than one-third of the cost to replace the furnace, then you should say goodbye to your old furnace and invest in a modern energy-efficient model.
To determine if your furnace is beyond its three-quarter life expectancy mark, check the label on the furnace or call the manufacturer and give them the serial number. If you want help figuring out the age and life expectancy of your current model, call us at Griffith Energy Services.
Rising Heating Bills
If your heating bills are increasing every year, it may be time to replace your furnace with a newer energy-efficient model. As your furnace gets older, it has to work harder and harder to heat your home. As your system works harder, it uses more energy, which causes your bills to rise. In addition, many older homes have oversized furnaces.
Oversized furnaces often short cycle, which is when furnaces turn on and off frequently. Short cycling causes your furnace to use more energy and heat your home unevenly, leaving some areas much colder than others. To determine what size you need, schedule an appointment with one of our technicians. They will measure the square footage of your house to determine which furnace you need.
Increased Repair Costs
When debating whether to repair or replace your furnace, you should think about how much money you’ve been putting into repairs. When you factor in the age of your furnace, how much you are spending on energy bills, and your annual repair costs, you may discover that replacing your furnace is much more cost-effective than you initially thought. The cost of the new furnace is usually offset by the repair bills that you won’t have to pay.
As your furnace ages, your repair costs will continue increasing. Take a good look at your energy bills and repair costs and calculate how much you are currently spending and how much you’ll need to spend in the future. When you decide to invest in a new furnace, you can also purchase a maintenance agreement, which will ensure that your heater is inspected and serviced regularly. Regular maintenance can extend the life expectancy of your new furnace.
More Energy-Efficient
When looking for a new furnace, be sure to look for one that has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90 percent or higher. This rating indicates that the furnace uses 90 percent of the fuel, allowing only a small amount to escape through combustion. A furnace with a rating of 90 percent or higher is very efficient, and you can expect lower energy bills for years to come.
With advanced software and technology, new furnaces are much better at heating your home. They use an on-and-off cycling system, which uses less energy and reduces the wear and tear on your furnace. In addition, energy-efficient furnaces have better ignition systems with two-stage gas valves, which warm up the furnace more quickly, and electronic spark ignitions, which start the furnace on demand.
There are many reasons why replacing your furnace may be a better decision than pouring more money into an older, less-efficient one. Your heating bill will decrease, and your home will be heated more evenly and efficiently.
If you want to have a new energy-efficient furnace installed, call Griffith Energy Services today at 888-474-3391.
Image provided by Shutterstock
