A furnace can last many years with great reliability as long as it receives regular and effective maintenance. Overall, a furnace is a very dependable appliance. And it is difficult for the average property owner to be able to determine the remaining useful life of their formerly trustworthy heat unit(s). If “old reliable” is going to become “headache city”, you are going to want to study your options.
To make your decision best, you need to weigh these factors; 1. Your present furnace efficiency. 2. THE PERSONAL SAFETY OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. 3.The cost of fuel now and over the next decade. 4.The “heating load” of your house – that’s the amount of energy required to maintain a steady 65 degree temperature indoors. 5.If you are renting your property, remember the tax deduction available to you.
If your furnace is old and worn out, your decision is easy! Buy a more efficient model and add a preventive maintenance contract to better protect your investment over time.
Should you decide to replace your system with a high efficiency system, say 97% efficient, you would cut your heating fuel usage by at least 20% and most likely save even more than that in dollars as the price of fuels continue to rise.
Don’t forget other ways to make your investment even better. Look for ways to reduce your heating load, such as through new weather-stripping, adding insulation or sealing other areas where outside air penetration is stealing your energy dollars.
Of course, the most important consideration of all is SAFETY! With today’s newer closed-combustion power-vented units, problems of back drafting (when exhaust fumes get pulled in through the chimney) or the dispersion of carbon monoxide into the house via a cracked or corroded heat-exchanger are essentially impossible.
