We realize that buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future, but it’s important to learn the keys that would impact your decision when you do need to buy a new one. Below are five important considerations that Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of appliance, as furnaces age, the likeliness of heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repairs can become significant. Costly, yet typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Miami 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, with up to 40% of your heating dollars going out the window (in a manner of speaking). Even the latest models of furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A correctly maintained furnace will run more efficiently, lower the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another important point is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.
4. Tune-up Checks
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning receives a lot of questions pertaining to what really 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
- And many others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified technician who has the insight, tools and expertise 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 signs of a need to replace your furnace.
Excessive energy costs and the interest to reduce energy consumption are also pressing reasons to contemplate 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.
Miami area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 305-440-1505.