We understand that purchasing a furnace may not be an immediate need, but it’s smart 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
Similar to any other appliance, as furnaces age, the probability of frequent heating repairs increase. If your furnace 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 Edmonton 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, wasting up to 40% of the dollars you spend to heat your home. Even recently manufactured furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A properly maintained furnace will run more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and above all ensure your safety. Remember, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly tuned furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.
4. Tune-up Checks
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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
- Much more...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified professional who has the skill and hands-on experience to perform a tune-up should maintain heating equipment annually. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with old equipment are a few 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 pressing reasons to weigh the replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst suggested nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Edmonton area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 587-404-0790.