Even if your furnace is currently working, it might be time to think about replacing it. You don’t want to wait until it breaks down in the dead of winter and you are forced to replace it. These type of furnace emergencies often mean that you choose a new furnace based on what is in stock and can be put in the fastest, not necessarily what is the most efficient or the best bargain.
When considering whether or not your furnace needs to be replaced in your Humboldt County home, there are a few variables to think about:
- The age of your furnace. The life expectancy of a furnace is really only about 15 years. If yours is getting close to that, it might be time to search for a company that services heating in Eureka to look into your replacement options. If the furnace was already installed when you purchased your house, you can call the manufacturer and give them the serial number and they will be able to tell you the age of your furnace.
- Efficiency rating. Older furnaces are less efficient and it may actually save you money in the long run to replace your furnace. 15 years ago, furnace efficiency ratings were about 76%, meaning that only 76% of the fuel the furnace consumed was actually converted into heat. The rest was wasted. Modern furnaces have efficiency ratings of 90% or higher, meaning more of your money goes to heating your home, not waste.
- Think about the safety of your furnace. Older units with a constant on pilot light can pose a higher fire risk for your home.
- Look at the cost of maintaining an older unit. As your furnace ages, it gets more expensive to take care of. Parts start to break and you may find yourself calling your local heating company for more than just an annual service visit. A good rule to follow is that if you are spending more than 40% of a new unit cost on upkeep, it makes more sense to replace the unit.
When you are ready to replace your furnace, call a local heating professional at Evans Mechanical to help you. One of our professionals can help you choose the right furnace option and size for your home and ensure that everything is installed properly.
