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 the top 5 considerations that Midway Services advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Similar to any other appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repairs can become significant. 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 Clearwater area homes today naturally influences your home energy bills, and the level of efficiency can vary tremendously depending upon the system you buy. Furnaces older than 15 years can be terribly inefficient, resulting in up to 40% of your home energy dollars being wasted. Even recently manufactured furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A correctly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs and most of all ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point to mention is a properly serviced furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
Midway Services receives a lot of questions concerning what actually 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
- Others...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified professional who has the skill and hands-on experience to perform a tune-up must maintain heating equipment annually. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with old equipment are a couple of the more obvious signals of a need to replace your furnace.
Excessive energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also pressing reasons to consider 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.
Clearwater area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Midway Services at 727-219-2471.