Time for a New Furnace? 5 Questions to Ask
If you’ve noticed a chill in the air, you may have started to think about turning on the furnace in your home. But before we get too far into the heating season, we encourage you to think back to how your gas furnace did last year. Was it performing at its best or did it struggle to get through the winter?
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to invest in a new gas furnace, here are five questions to consider.
1. How old is your current furnace?
The average service life of a natural gas furnace is about 16-20 years. There are many factors that can determine the actual lifespan of your unit – including brand, maintenance, and usage – but that should give you a general idea of what you can expect. So, if your furnace is getting close to that range, it may not be worth putting much more money into it when those dollars could be going toward a new system instead.
2. How consistent have you been with maintenance?
Be honest here. Have you kept up with replacing the air filter? How about professional tune-ups to make sure the internal components are clean and working efficiently? Good maintenance can help you get the maximum life out of your gas furnace – but poor maintenance can increase the chance of mechanical failures, part replacements, and overall breakdown. The bottom line is if you haven’t been taking good care of your furnace, you will probably need to replace it sooner.
3. Does the system need any major repairs?
Here’s where you may need to do a cost-benefit analysis of patching up your older unit for another year or investing in a new system. If you need a major component replaced, like a blower motor, circuit board, or gas valve – each which can cost you hundreds of dollars – then you may want to consider putting that money toward a brand new furnace that will give you better long-term value.
4. How efficient is your old furnace?
Just like phones, computers, and cars, the technology of furnaces has greatly improved in the past 15-20 years. A new model will likely be much more energy-efficient than your current system. Plus, wear and tear over the years could reduce its efficiency below its rating. Remember: higher energy-efficiency means lower energy bills every month.
5. How safe is your furnace?
The older a furnace gets, the higher the chance that something could go wrong that could cause a dangerous situation in your home such as a fire or gas leak. This is especially true if the furnace hasn’t been properly maintained or had improper repairs done.
Gas furnace installation in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and King George Counties
If you’re still not sure whether it’s time for a new gas furnace, talk to the knowledgable team at Robert B. Payne, Inc. We can help you weigh the pros and cons of keeping your current system as well as tell you about our latest deals and financing offers to make the investment in a new furnace easier on your wallet. To schedule an appointment, call us today at (540) 373-5876.