My Furnace is getting older, is it time to repair or replace?

Nobody wants to think about replacing their heating and air conditioner. There are many more things to do with our hard earned money, right? Especially in this economy.

Well, there are some good reasons to consider replacing your older furnace. The Department of Energy's Energy Star Program recommends replacing your furnace if it is more than 15 years old with a new one and replacing your air conditioner if it is over 10 years old. You can check out their recommendations here:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_checklist_consumers

Why 15 years on a furnace? Well, the first thing to consider is safety. You see, as a gas furnace ages it experiences stress in it's Heat Exchanger, which is where hot gasses from the flame flow through your unit. Over time these heat stresses can cause small cracks in the metal which can be very dangerous both for you and your family.

The next thing to think about is comfort. Furnaces have come a long way over the past 15 years. Now with features like Variable Speed and Modulating Gas Valves your home can feel more comfortable on those icy nights. Hot and Cold spots in your home can become a thing of the past if your Heating Specialist is able to recommend the correct Comfort System for your home.

Repairs are another thing to consider. If you are constantly having to repair your furnace the bills can really add up. And even if you haven't experienced repairs the chances of a breakdown really start to increase as the unit gets older-think of your car. If it was 15 years old, how do you think it would be holding up?

Operating Costs are another thing to consider as well. If your Furnace is one of the 80% furnaces it is wasting at least 20% of its fuel right out the flue pipe. A new, energy efficient furnace can reduce this costly waste to as little as 2-5% depending on what furnace you choose.

What shape is your duct-work in? Did you know that 30% of your heating energy could be escaping right out into your attic or crawl space? That's a lot of waste, and with today's new standards of sealing ducts this inefficiency can be virtually eliminated.

A lot to think about, but with the help of a professional heating and air company like Bonney Plumbing, Heating and Air these decisions can be made much easier. Call us or email and a friendly, helpful member of our staff will speak with you about your heating needs. Estimates are free, and we can even help with convenient payment plans that best suit your needs.