The decision to replace your furnace is not an easy one. Selecting a new one means time and money: time you don’t have to wade through the myriad of equipment options and figure out the best efficiency rating, and money you either don’t have or don’t want to spend.
HVAC equipment is vital to your comfort during the long winter months and that you must be able to count on your furnace. A comfortably heated and cooled space is a given: we expect it so we can sleep, eat and live. Before you begin any decisions about choosing a new furnace, consider these factors:
Age
Furnaces have a typical lifespan of 15 years. If yours is older, you are most likely giving your money away every month on utility bills, as older units usually have an efficiency rating of about 65 percent.
Repairs
Keeping older furnaces in tip-top shape takes money for servicing and repairs. Review how much you’ve spent in the past few years to keep it running. Could you have paid for a new furnace already? If you know your furnace needs repairs, consider how efficiently and how much longer it will last versus the cost of a new furnace.
Safety
Older furnaces have parts that are prone to buildup and corrosion, which can lead to safety and fire hazards. They are also more likely to have cracks or small leaks that can release too much carbon monoxide.
Fuel prices
To calculate replacement savings, figure out how much you spent on heating and cooling bills this year. If you’re looking at a furnace that is 30 percent more efficient, multiply the efficiency difference by the total of your utility bills. If you spend $1,000 yearly for utilities, and the cost of a new unit is $1,500, it will take you five years to recoup the price of a new furnace.
This time of year is ideal to shop for a new furnace. By adding additional discounts and incentives from HVAC contractors, the decision to replace your furnace gets even easier.
If you’re unsure about the lifespan of your furnace, feel free to ask for a professional opinion from one of Arpi’s technicians. We can help you make an educated decision about your home comfort.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.
