We know that not everyone may need a new furnace right now, but it’s smart to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are five considerations that Neal Harris Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the probability of frequent heating repairs increase. If your furnace is over 15 years old, those repair can be especially expensive. Costly, yet typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Kansas City area homes today vary significantly and their efficiency directly influences your utility bills. Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient, resulting in up to 40% of your home energy dollars being wasted. Even newer furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A well maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, lower the likelihood of expensive repairs and above all ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
Neal Harris Service Experts often receives questions relating to what truly can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many important 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
- Others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A trained and certified HVAC specialist who has the skill and hands-on experience to perform a tune-up must maintain heating equipment each year. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with dated equipment are a couple of the more obvious indicators of a need to replace your furnace.
Excessive energy costs and the interest to reduce energy consumption are also pressing reasons to consider replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst suggested nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Kansas City area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Neal Harris Service Experts at 816-787-0500.