We know that buying a new furnace may not be a priority in the immediate future, but it’s smart to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are the top 5 considerations that Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likeliness of heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, you might start to experience relatively expensive repairs. Some of the typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in San Antonio area homes today can vary widely and has a direct correlation to the amount of money you pay your utility company each month. Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient, with up to 40% of your heating dollars going out the window (in a manner of speaking). Even the latest models of furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A well maintained furnace will function more efficiently, reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. After all, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.
4. Tune-up Checks
Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air receives a lot of questions pertaining to what truly can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many essential checks and calibrations in the process:
- Gas Pressure and gas valve calibration
- Cleaning and checking safety switches
- Cleaning the heat exchanger
- Inspecting the heat exchanger for dangerous conditions
- Cleaning the blower system
- Cleaning and replacement of worn ignition sensors
- And many others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified technician who has the education to perform a tune-up should maintain heating equipment annually. To put it bluntly, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with old equipment are some of the more obvious indicators of a need to replace your furnace.
Excessive energy costs and the interest to reduce energy consumption are also compelling reasons to weigh the replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
San Antonio area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air at 210-404-4233.