Because we don’t have to deal with severe winters in Texas, having major repairs or upgrades to a heating system can sometimes wait until late in the year. There usually isn’t a fall rush to have a furnace replacement in New Braunfels, TX. However, if you think that you need to have a new furnace installed for your home, it’s best to have it done before the start of the new year. January is when we’ll have our coldest days, and you’ll feel much more relaxed knowing you have a fresh and reliable new heating system ready to get to work when it’s needed.
We understand that nobody wants to pay to replace a heating system if it’s unnecessary, so we’ll look at the big question involved in furnace installation: Is it really time for a new furnace?
The Questions to Ask About Your Current Furnace
The best way to approach the decision about getting a new central furnace is to ask why you started to consider a replacement in the first place.
- How old is too old for my furnace? The age of a heating system is an important way to tell how much longer it may last. A gas furnace can last around 15 years if it is well-cared for with regular (annual) maintenance. Some furnaces last 20 years, but we recommend serious consideration of a replacement when a gas furnace is older than 15. Electric furnaces may last from 20–30 years, but take into account the cost to run one and if you might be better off with a heat pump.
- Is the furnace more expensive to operate than before? A furnace should maintain about 95% of its efficiency rating until the last two years of its service life. You shouldn’t see any major movement upwards in your winter heating costs until the furnace is near to the end. When heating bills begin climbing and you can’t tell why, the furnace is approaching its “sell-by” date.
- How much am I paying to keep the furnace in repair? Just because a furnace needs a professional to fix it doesn’t mean it’s ready to retire. Repairs are going to happen to most furnaces. But repairs that cost more than 50% of the price of a new furnace aren’t worth it. Nor is paying more than $500 a year on repairs. Honestly, having to repair a furnace more than once in any year means the time has come to move on.
- Is the furnace showing signs of corrosion? You never want to see corrosion on a furnace. It means age has caught up with the system, and it may become hazardous to operate. This is a big warning sign the furnace is due for a replacement, ASAP.
- Is there a high-efficiency furnace I really want? If you’ve always thought you’ve been paying too much to run the furnace, then a high-efficiency model has great appeal. An older furnace that’s working well may still be a replacement candidate if you can afford a money-saving high-efficiency furnace with 97% AFUE.
Your Comfort is Our #1 Priority. Call on Thayer Air Conditioning—we’re already on our way!
