You probably know when you need to replace most items in our home. For example, your heating and cooling system air filter requires monthly replacement. Your pillows require replacement every two years. Your smoke detectors need to be replaced every 8-10 years. But what about your heating equipment?
If your heating equipment has yearly maintenance and is kept in good shape, it can last 10-20 years. Once your furnace reaches 15 years of age , it’s probably a good time to start considering replacing your heating equipment with an upgraded, more energy efficient heating system. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency heating units can save up to 20% on heating costs. Even if your heating equipment still seems to be operating fine, it’s ideal to start looking into your options now instead of waiting until your furnace breaks down in the middle of a terrible freeze and you’re so desperate you don’t have time to look into your options. When considering new furnace options it’s also crucial to take into account your home’s air duct system. Leaking and undersized ducts can significantly affect your home’s overall comfort and effectiveness. New heating equipment is only as good as the duct system that it’s installed in.
Another reason you need to research in advance is to see what tax credits and manufacturer rebates are available to you. Currently, you can receive U.S. government tax credits of up to $500 for specific HVAC equipment – but it’s only until the end of 2016 and hasn’t been approved past 12/31/16. Visit this link to help discover local rebates available in your region : https://www.energystar.gov/rebate-finder.
One thing to think about if your furnace isn’t quite 20 years old and you’re on the fence about replacement is what amount you’re spending on fixing your current furnace. You can usually repair heating equipment – swap out a part here, fix a section there – but in the end the cost of repairing your furnace will be greater than the cost of replacing it and that’s when you really need to think about long-term spending. If you are repairing your furnace on an annual basis, it’s probably time to look into replacement.
If you aren’t sure about your furnace’s ability to get you through the cold season safe and toasty, give San Antonio Air Service Experts a call and we’d be happy to come out and inspect your system and provide any recommendations. Starting December 1st, San Antonio Air is providing discounts on specific heating and cooling systems so give us a call and find out how much you can save!