“They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” We’ve all heard the saying. And most of us have probably said it ourselves at one time or another. But while this old adage may hold for some things, when it comes to your furnace, the exact opposite is true.
You see, today’s furnaces are more energy-efficient than ever before. In fact, according to Energy Star, a new furnace uses at least 15% less energy than a comparable model purchased just 15 years ago. And that means lower energy bills and more money back in your pocket.
So if you’ve been wondering if it’s time to bid farewell to your old furnace, here are 5 questions to ask yourself before making that decision.
How old is my furnace?
The lifespan of a typical furnace is somewhere around 18 years, assuming you have it serviced once a year. So if yours is approaching its 18th birthday, you might want to consider upgrading to a more energy efficient unit.
How often does it need repair?
As with anything else, there comes a point where it doesn’t make fiscal sense to keep repairing something. If your furnace has had multiple repairs over the past 2 years, think about the cost and nature of the repairs versus the cost of total replacement.
Does the furnace go bump in the night?
If your furnace is making unusual noises, such as banging, clicking, and clattering, it might be nearing the end. As a furnace gets older, certain parts and components begin to break down, resulting in strange and rather unpleasant noises when it turns on.
Has my heating bill gone up?
A small fluctuation in your heating bill from year to year probably isn’t something to worry about. But if you notice a significant increase over the past couple of years that can’t be traced back to increased usage or increases in oil, gas, or electrical rates, your furnace might be struggling to keep your home warm.
At Optimum Air, we are home heating specialists that do our best to keep you and your family warm and comfortable, every winter, at the total lowest cost available. In this case, that means we can help you save money on a new, higher efficiency replacement furnace which, in turn, will result in big reductions in your monthly heating costs. Contact us today to learn more.