Are high energy bills or odd sounds causing you to wonder if it’s time for a gas furnace replacement? It’s human nature to put off expensive investment purchases like automobiles or large appliances until absolutely necessary.
We caution you, however, not to wait too long. Try to be proactive so you can make your decision without the stress of a crisis, like having no heat. Interested in a free estimate? We’re happy to visit, listen and determine the best system for you and your family. We base our recommendations on your efficiency goals, comfort and health concerns, as well as how you like to use your heating and air system.
In our experience, the average lifespan for a furnace varies around 15 and 20 years. Factors affecting when you’ll need to replace or invest in a gas furnace upgrade include usage, maintenance, climate and your tolerance for repairs or poor efficiency.
As furnaces age, they gradually lose efficiency. This leads to a balancing act between how much you’re willing to spend to repair the unit or lose in energy bills compared with the cost of a gas furnace upgrade.
If your bill seems to jump each year or has spiked recently, your gas furnace may be trying to tell you something. Even at 10 years old, some gas furnaces may need repairs.
More modern systems employ new technology which allows them to generate warm air with less energy than older systems. If your furnace is 10 years old or has an AFUE of 80 percent or less, you should strongly consider a gas furnace upgrade.
What’s AFUE? It stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. In short, it means how efficiently the furnace converts fuel to heat. AFUE ranges from 56 to 98.5 percent. These days, a new furnace is a minimum of 80 percent AFUE.
If, for example, your current furnace had an AFUE of 70 percent, it means for every dollar you spend on heating, 30 cents is lost. Therefore, the greater the AFUE the less money you’ll have to spend to heat your house.
Another symptom of a potential gas furnace upgrade is what’s called “short cycling.” In this case, the furnace kicks on and off frequently. This may be due to several reasons, but one of the most common is an improperly sized furnace.
If a gas furnace is too big or too small for the building, it may strain the system and increase the wear and tear. By doing this every day the system ages more quickly which accelerates the need for repairs and replacement.
If you smell something or hear something out of the ordinary, get it checked out. Some situations are minor and easily resolved with a tune-up or a little bit of maintenance. Others indicate your system has a broken or worn out component which could lead to a major breakdown or safety risk. Let us assess the situation.
If your system is in relatively good shape, you can take steps to maximize its efficiency. These steps should help delay a gas furnace upgrade.
If you live with respiratory illnesses or allergies, change your air filter every one to two months. Smokers and households with pets also benefit from frequent changes.
Partner with a trusted local HVAC contractor like Homesense in Indianapolis. We will provide an inspection and tune-up of your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump so it operates as efficiently as possible.
If the ducts are dirty, they are likely circulating contaminants like dust, pet dander, or other debris throughout your home. These pollutants are pushed through your HVAC system and may be trapped by your air filter.
If your filter is clogged or your ducts are dirty, it strains the system to continue to push the debris into your home. If your ductwork has leaks, you lose heat you’ve paid to generate. Homesense also cleans and reworks ductwork to help improve your air quality and HVAC efficiency.
If you’re a homeowner in Indianapolis or its surrounding suburbs, like Westfield, Homesense is available for your gas furnace upgrade, service and repair needs. We also work closely with property managers and real estate investors with heating and air issues.
Have you scheduled HVAC service lately? If not, call us at 317-203-8149. Our expert technicians perform comprehensive inspections during each service visit and identify any signs of stress or malfunctions.
Finding minor problems before they get bigger can prevent a huge repair bill or the need to buy a new HVAC unit. With regular service, your heating and cooling equipment operates efficiently and safely.
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 – saving you on hassles, time and money.
Call Homesense or submit an appointment request form today to talk more about a gas furnace replacement in your home.