We know that not everyone may need a new furnace right now, but it’s important to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are five considerations that Barlow Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Similar to any other appliance, as furnaces age, the probability of frequent heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repairs can become significant. Costly, yet typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Ogden 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 terribly inefficient, wasting up to 40% of the dollars you spend to heat your home. Even the latest models of furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A correctly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. After all, these are gas-fired appliances. Another important point is a properly serviced furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
Barlow Service Experts receives a lot of questions relating 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 trained and certified HVAC specialist who has the knowledge, skills and experience to perform a tune-up is needed to 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.
Out of control energy costs and the need to reduce energy consumption are also strong 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.
Ogden area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Barlow Service Experts at 801-436-8985.