Repair Gas Furnace or Replace it? Read This First
Not sure whether you need to replace or repair a gas furnace in your Indianapolis home? We can help guide and prepare you for this home investment. You may be ready if you have dealt with frequent repairs or breakdowns over the last few winters.
If you purchased a home this year, you may have inherited an inefficient or old furnace in the deal. Either way, Homesense Heating and Cooling in Indianapolis can advise you with a no-nonsense recommendation.
We’ll consider physical factors like your square footage, the structure’s age and the insulation in the home. We’ll also factor in your occupancy and anticipated usage.
Repair or Replace a Gas Furnace Factors
Age
A common factor is the age of the furnace. Is it past 75 percent of its life expectancy? Would the repairs cost greater than a third of the cost to replace a gas furnace?
If you’re unsure of its age, check the label or ask your HVAC contractor for its date of manufacture during a tune-up. In general, furnaces last an average of 15 to 20 years. A quality brand with careful maintenance may last even longer.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
No matter how well maintained, the fact is every furnace and every brand becomes less efficient with each passing year. Also, it’s important to note AFUE standards have changed over the years. For example, if your house was built in 2008, the furnace would meet current AFUE standards. If it’s built before then it likely doesn’t.
If your home has a standard furnace with an AFUE rating of 80 percent, any major repair is worth considering a potential furnace replacement. Modern furnaces achieve an AFUE of up to 98.5 percent. That’s a big difference in rating and a big reduction in gas bills!
A team member from Homesense in Indianapolis will happily run the numbers for you. Two major factors are how long you plan to stay in the home and the estimated payback of greater efficiency.
In addition to AFUE, consider the ENERGY STAR rating when purchasing appliances. For example, the Daikin Modulating, Variable-Speed ComfortNet™ Communicating Systems Furnace is a 98 AFUE system with an ENERGY STAR rating.
This furnace runs economically at the lowest possible speed to deliver consistent temperatures and optimal performance. Want to learn more about the Daikin brand DM97MC gas furnace? Contact Homesense in Indianapolis for a consultation.
Replace a Gas Furnace or Replace Ductwork
Do you recall the “V” in “HVAC?’ It stands for “ventilation.” Often times the heating challenges a homeowner deals with may be due to inefficient ductwork.
According to scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, over time, as much as a third of the air you’ve paid to heat could vanish into unheated spaces like basements, crawl spaces or attics.
To combat this energy loss, ask for your HVAC contractor Homesense to inspect your ductwork. The technician can identify and repair any gaps. If the materials or integrity of the ductwork are severely compromised, you may find ductwork replacement significantly increases your energy efficiency.
HVAC Service Contractors in Indianapolis: Homesense
If you’re a homeowner in Indianapolis or a suburb, like Zionsville, Homesense is available for your HVAC service, repair and installation needs. We also work closely with property managers and real estate investors on heating and air issues.
Have you scheduled HVAC service lately? It’s not too late for a tune-up of your heating system. If not, call us at 317-203-8149.
Our technicians are thoroughly trained and certified to repair any brand. We care about your safety and comfort, so please call us when you need help.
Regardless of the age of your HVAC system, we encourage you to take advantage of our preventative heating and air service agreement. It’s a great value and saves you time and money.
Call Homesense at 317-203-8149 or submit an appointment request form today.