When Should You Replace Your Furnace?
At Clean Air Solutions, we get a lot of questions about furnaces and home heating systems in Edmonton. We’re not HVAC installers; however, we do know a thing or two about furnaces and we’re always happy to answer questions about your heating system and make recommendations.
Before You Replace Your Furnace in Edmonton
Before you replace your furnace because it hasn’t been heating your home properly or seems to be working overtime, it’s important to make sure that you’ve exhausted more affordable solutions first. Of course, one of those solutions is duct-cleaning. Some homeowners don’t realize how much dirt, dust, dander, pet hair, and other contaminants can build up in their ducts (it’s a lot more than most people would guess!)
A thorough furnace and duct cleaning in Edmonton will run you a couple of hundred dollars as opposed to several thousand. Plus, you may find that allergies clear up and people get sick less often in your household (after all, nasty germs and bacteria won’t be circulating around your home anymore). We’ll clean your furnace as well as your ducts, which will help your furnace run more efficiently.
Another affordable option to look at before a full furnace replacement is maintenance and repairs. Often, a few tweaks by an HVAC professional in Edmonton will be enough to have your furnace up and running like it’s brand-new again.
Questions to Ask Before Replacement
Although duct cleaning, furnace maintenance, and repairs can often fix the issues, there are times when it makes more sense to fully replace the furnace. For example, if issues are recurring and you’re concerned about your furnace going down in the winter, it might be a good time to look at a new furnace.
Here are some questions to help you determine when it’s time for a furnace replacement:
How Old is Your Furnace?
Most furnaces have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. If your furnace is approaching that age, repairs, maintenance, and furnace and duct cleaning might be enough to keep it running for a while longer. If it’s on the older end, it’s probably a good time to replace.
How Many Repairs Have You Completed and How Often Has it Been Maintained?
Like any essential home appliance, your furnace needs some love from time to time. If you’ve neglected your furnace by not completing regular maintenance (such as switching your furnace filters or having your furnace cleaned, the lifespan of your furnace could be diminished by as much as several years. On the other hand, if you’re constantly repairing your furnace, it might be worthwhile to stop paying for costly repairs and just get a new furnace installed.
How Often is Your Furnace Running?
One clue that your furnace isn’t doing its job is if it starts running all the time. Unless it’s the middle of winter, your furnace should be able to maintain your house’s temperature in bursts. If not, it’s either time for a duct cleaning appointment or a new furnace.
How High Are Your Energy Bills?
Most homeowners will seriously consider a furnace replacement when the costs of heating their home each month starts to outweigh the costs of purchasing a new furnace. If you feel like your furnace is about to kick the bucket, go back through your heating bills for the past several years and see if there’s a pattern.
Who Should I Call?
Furnace replacements should always be handled by professionals. A great way to start the process is by getting in touch with Clean Air Solutions. We can help you analyze whether a thorough duct cleaning will help you eradicate your home heating troubles, or if you need HVAC replacement help from one of the HVAC professionals in Edmonton that we know and trust.
Questions about your furnace, air conditioner, or duct system? Get in touch with us today!
