It won’t be long now before your heating system is under the strain of another Michigan winter. Are you confident that it will keep you warm? Have you had your heating maintenance done? Perhaps, when you did get maintenance, your HVAC technician told you that your furnace needed a significant repair. Or maybe you knew, even last spring, that it was not in very good condition.
At some point, the time will come when you need to get a new heating system. But because of the cost and inconvenience, you don’t want to do that any sooner than you have to. How can you tell when it’s time? We’ve got some pointers for you to consider that can help you make the decision about whether it’s time for furnace replacement in Lansing, MI.
How Old Is Your Furnace?
How long a furnace lasts depends on what type of furnace it is. Electric furnaces tend to last longer than gas furnaces because electric furnaces don’t have the same combustion process, which reduces wear and tear on the system’s components. Electric furnaces can last for 20 years while gas furnaces have a life expectancy of 10-15 years. The younger the furnace, the more worthwhile repairs are, because you might get many more years out of your heating system.
How Well-Maintained Is Your Furnace?
When we gave you those life expectancy estimates, we were talking about furnaces that have professional maintenance done every year. Patchy maintenance, done once in a while, will result in a furnace that’s not in the best condition and won’t last as long. No maintenance at all will lead to major problems and a furnace that only lasts half as long. Don’t put yourself in the position of buying a new furnace every 7-10 years! Be consistent about maintenance.
How Efficient Is Your Furnace?
Maintenance can do a lot in terms of furnace efficiency. By cleaning, lubricating, adjusting, recalibrating, and inspecting everything each year, wear and tear can be minimized for a long time. But the time will come when no amount of maintenance can bring your heating system back to its original efficiency. When this happens, and you notice your utility bills rising, the end is near.
How Often Does Your Furnace Require Repair?
When it comes to heating systems, we would consider repairs “frequent” if they’re required just about every year. More than once a year is extremely frequent! As furnaces age, the repair frequency will increase. If it’s already getting to be rather a lot, and the inconvenience and expense are adding up, your furnace is approaching retirement.
How Costly Is the Repair Your Furnace Needs?
A quick-and-easy, totally affordable repair might be worthwhile even if your furnace isn’t expected to last more than another year or so. A repair that would cost you quite a bit might be worthwhile if your furnace is relatively new and otherwise in good condition. This is why it’s so important to consider all these factors as you make your decision.
If you’re still not sure what would be best, a member of our team would be happy to assess your heating situation and help you get a clearer idea of whether repairs are worthwhile or if it’s time for a replacement.
Contact A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling for furnace replacement in Lansing, MI. Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.