We realize that purchasing a furnace may not be an immediate need, but it’s wise to learn the keys that can drive your decision when that time comes. Below are five important considerations that McElroy Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the likeliness of heating repairs increase. If your heating equipment is over 15 years old, those repair can be especially expensive. More common and costly repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Grand Island 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, with up to 40% of your heating dollars going out the window (in a manner of speaking). Even recently manufactured furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A correctly maintained furnace will run more efficiently, decrease the likelihood of expensive repairs and most of all ensure your safety. Remember, these are gas-fired appliances. Another point worth mentioning is a properly serviced furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.
4. Tune-up Checks
McElroy Service Experts hears many questions concerning what actually can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many vital 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 technician who has the insight, tools and expertise to perform a tune-up should maintain heating equipment once a year. In short, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with old equipment are some of the more obvious signs 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 suggested nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Grand Island area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call McElroy Service Experts at 308-210-4398.