As a homeowner, it’s important to understand when to replace your furnace. No homeowner wants to be stuck with a heating system that doesn’t work in the middle of a cold winter snap. Below, we’ll discuss some of the key signs that your furnace may need to be replaced and why winter is the best time to do it.
Why Scheduled Replacement is the Best?
Far too often, homeowners wait until their heating system completely fails to think about a replacement. This can leave your family without heat during the coldest part of the winter season. You’ll likely find that you’ll have to pay a premium emergency rate to have a technician assess your unit.
You may even have to wait days to get a new system installed. Instead of scrambling to find space heaters or spending a bunch of money at a hotel, planning for replacement ahead of time is the best route to take. This can reduce the stress of the replacement process and ensure that you make a well-informed decision on your new furnace.
Signs You Need a Furnace Replacement
Furnaces that burn natural gas, heating oil, or propane typically have a usable lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. Electric furnaces can last between 20 and 30 years. If your existing furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s best to schedule an upgrade before it completely fails. Additionally, if the warranty coverage for your unit has expired, it’s best to consider an upgrade.
As your furnace operates during the winter season, its weaknesses will be more and more evident. If you start to notice uneven heating between your rooms, longer-than-normal run times, frequent cycling, and other similar issues, it could signal a problem with your unit that requires replacement. All heating systems will get less efficient as they age, leading to higher utility bills throughout the winter.
A Note About Qualifying for Tax Credits
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a new furnace for your home is that it can make you eligible to receive a tax credit from the federal government. You may qualify for this credit if you purchase an ENERGY STAR-rated heating system that meets the minimum efficiency standards set by the tax credit.
Most high-efficiency furnaces qualify for a credit under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 due to their high operating efficiency. It’s also important to know that many local utility companies will provide you with a rebate on your bill if you can show proof of purchasing an efficient heating system for your home. It’s best to check with your local utility company to see what rebates are available.
Why Is Winter a Good Time for Replacement?
Wintertime can be a great time of year to schedule furnace replacement if your existing system isn’t very efficient. By replacing it now, you can avoid the high heating cost for the rest of the year. Many furnace manufacturers run promotional discounts on their new units alongside favorable financing as an incentive to get homeowners to purchase their systems.
You can take advantage of these discounts and financing when you purchase the unit during the winter season. Choosing to replace your furnace in the winter can set you up for a quick springtime AC replacement. You may even find that you can get a package deal on both heating and cooling units.
When to Consider Off-Peak Season Replacements
While winter can provide some great discounts for purchasing a new furnace for your home, it does come along with more limited scheduling. There are some reasons you may want to consider off-peak replacement instead of doing it during the winter. One of the most obvious is that HVAC providers will have more flexible appointment scheduling because of a decreased demand in both repair and installation services. Additionally, the weather can be better to do a replacement in the fall or the spring without the worry of your home being overly cold.
Expert Heating Installation Service
Bone Heating & Cooling provides expert heating installation service for the Festus, MO area. We can also assist with all your heating tune-up and repair needs. Call us today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our knowledgeable heating technicians.
