There’s no doubt that furnaces are an important part of many homes. It’s important to have one, and you don’t want to still be using one that’s long overdue for a replacement. That being said, most Americans don’t have a clue how to tell when it’s time for furnace replacement, meaning a lot of households are still stuck using an old, worn-out furnace.
Fortunately, to avoid that scenario, you can consider a few things about your current furnace:
- Furnace Efficiency
The efficiency of your furnace is important to consider when deciding if an upgrade is necessary. It’s a good idea to get your furnace’s efficiency rated, as you would ideally like it to sport a rating of over 80 percent efficiency. Lower efficiency furnaces cost more money to heat your home, which can be a big deal in the current economy. If your furnace has a low efficiency rating, that might mean it’s time for a replacement.
- Age of Your Furnace
Knowing how long you’ve had your furnace can go a long way toward making your decision an easier one. The average lifespan of a furnace that’s been maintained well is 20-25 years. If your furnace is significantly newer than that, and you’ve taken good care of it, you probably don’t need to upgrade just yet.
- The Heating Load of Your House
The “heating load” of your house is the amount of energy required to keep a steady 65-degree temperature throughout the home. To decide if an upgrade to a new, 97 percent efficiency furnace is necessary, add up your fuel bills from last winter, and multiply that total by 20 percent, which is the amount you’d likely save on heating bills with a new furnace. Then, divide that number by $3,000, which is the average price of a new, high-efficiency furnace, and you’ll see how many years it would take to pay for itself. If the result is a big number, it might not be worth the investment.
Hopefully, this has helped you to decide whether or not you’re in need of a new furnace. Remember to visit Hansberger Refrigeration and Electricfor your home comfort needs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Hansberger Refrigeration & Electric Co services the Yuma area in Arizona. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
