We realize that purchasing a furnace may not be an immediate need, but it’s wise to learn the keys that would impact your decision when you do need to buy a new one. Below are the top 5 considerations that Komfort Air Service Experts advises our customers to think about during their evaluation:
1. Heating Repair Frequency
Just like any appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your system is over 15 years old, those repairs can become significant. Costly, yet typical repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.
2. Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in Charlotte 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 very inefficient, wasting up to 40% of the dollars you spend to heat your home. Even newer furnaces can waste up to 20%.
3. System Maintenance
A correctly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. Don’t forget, these are gas-fired appliances. Another important point is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is necessary.
4. Tune-up Checks
Komfort Air Service Experts receives a lot of questions pertaining to what truly 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
- Much more...
5. HVAC Maintenance Interval
A certified professional who has the skill and hands-on experience to perform a tune-up is needed to maintain heating equipment once a year. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with dated equipment are a couple of the more obvious signs of a need to replace your furnace.
High energy costs and the desire to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to consider replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst stated that nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.
Charlotte area homeowners seeking more information are urged to call Komfort Air Service Experts at 704-705-8135.