Five Reasons Not To Delay Replacing Your Aging Furnace
Posted on: 4 January 2017
If your furnace is on its last legs, you may be trying to decide whether to replace it this winter or to put off the replacement for another year or two. While every situation is different, it is usually in your best interest to replace your furnace sooner rather than later -- especially if it has recently broken down and is in need of repairs. Here's why:
Operating an older furnace is actually more dangerous.
The older a furnace becomes, the greater the chances that it will malfunction, leaving you without heat. Shivering away the night while you wait for the repair team could easily leave you sick -- and an unheated environment is certainly not safe for children, elderly adults, or anyone with an impaired immune system.
Older furnaces are also more prone to developing issues with the fuel burner. If the fuel is not combusted fully due to a faulty burner, you could end up with carbon monoxide in your home. This odorless, poisonous gas causes serious issues like headaches, confusion, nausea, and death. Replacing your aging furnace with a new one that's far less likely to malfunction is a safer choice for you, your family members, and your pets.
Older furnaces are extremely inefficient.
Today's furnaces waste far less fuel than older models, leading to lower energy bills. And while older furnaces were less efficient from the get-go, they tend to become even less efficient as they age and as components like the ball bearings and belts tend to wear out. This could be one reason why your energy bills have climbed higher and higher over the years. Replace your furnace, and you'll likely be amazed at the sudden drop in your energy bills. Why not enjoy these savings now rather than in a year or two?
There are federal tax incentives for replacing your furnace that may not be available next year.
Available tax credits and deductions change every year. Currently, you can receive a tax credit of $150 for replacing your older furnace with a new one with an AFUE of 95 or higher. (AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency and is a measure of energy efficiency.) You're eligible for an additional credit of $50 if you choose a furnace with an energy-efficient fan. If you wait to replace your furnace, there's a chance these credits will no longer be available.
Once a furnace starts breaking, more repairs are usually on the horizon.
If your older furnace recently broke down, this is probably just the first in a long line of malfunctions. Repairing a furnace can easily cost you $200, $300, or even more -- especially if you have to call an emergency repair technician in the middle of the night. While repairs may seem like a better choice when comparing the cost of one repair to the cost of a new furnace, the scale quickly swings in favor of replacement once you've paid for two or three repairs.
Your home will become more comfortable and enjoyable as soon as the new furnace is in place.
Homeowners are often amazed at how much more comfortable their home becomes once a new furnace is installed. Rooms tend to heat more evenly, the air becomes less dusty, and there's less noise when the heat kicks on. By replacing your furnace now rather than in a few years, you get to enjoy more years of comfort.
If you're not sure whether it is really time to replace your older furnace, contact an HVAC company in your area, such as Sullivan Super Service. They can look over your current furnace and let you know just how likely future breakdowns are. This will help you make a more informed decision.
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