We know that buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future, but it’s important to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are the top 5 considerations that D&K Home Services by Enercare advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repair can be especially expensive. 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 Belleville area homes today vary significantly and their efficiency directly influences your utility bills. Furnaces older than 15 years can be terribly inefficient, resulting in up to 40% of your home energy dollars being wasted. Even recently manufactured furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A correctly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, lower the likelihood of expensive repairs and most of all ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly tuned furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
D&K Home Services by Enercare hears many questions pertaining to what really can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many vital 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 trained and certified HVAC specialist who has the insight, tools and expertise to perform a tune-up is needed to maintain heating equipment each year. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with aged equipment are a couple of the more obvious signals of a need to replace your furnace.
Excessive energy costs and the interest to reduce energy consumption are also compelling reasons to consider replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Belleville area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call D&K Home Services by Enercare at 613-707-2421.