We realize that buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future, but it’s wise to learn the keys that will likely influence your choice when you are ready to buy. Below are five considerations that All American Air Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Similar to any other appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your heating equipment is over 15 years old, you might start to experience relatively expensive repairs. Costly, yet typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Daytona Beach area homes today vary significantly and their efficiency directly influences your utility bills. Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient, with up to 40% of your heating dollars going out the window (in a manner of speaking). Even recently manufactured furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A well maintained furnace will function more efficiently, lower the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. Remember, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point worth mentioning is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.
4. Tune-up Checks
All American Air Service Experts often receives 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
- And many others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A trained and certified HVAC specialist who has the skill and hands-on experience to perform a tune-up must maintain heating equipment once a 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.
Out of control energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also compelling reasons to consider 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.
Daytona Beach area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call All American Air Service Experts at 386-310-2061.