You don’t want your heater to go out in the middle of winter, leaving you scrambling to find a new one. In your rush, you may overpay or find one that doesn’t fit your needs. To catch the problem before it’s too late, scheduling a maintenance check once a year will help indicate when it’s time to replace.
Generally, you should consider replacing it for these two scenarios:
- If it’s three-quarters of its lifespan
- If repairs cost more than a third of a replacement
You’ll want to consider how often you’ll have to repair it and how high your energy bills are. Getting a more efficient replacement could save you money in the long run.
We suggest servicing your furnace at least once a year, with the fall being the best time to do so.
When leaving your home for an extended period, we recommend turning off your heater. But, if you’re only leaving for a short while, you can simply turn it down a couple of degrees. If you completely turn it off and then back on after a short period, your furnace will have to work twice as hard to heat your home back up.
We always recommend getting a maintenance check at least once a year. In between these inspections, you should check and change your filters. If you have pets, these filters should get changed once a month. When the filter gets full, it blocks the heater makes it work harder, lowering its lifespan.
If appropriately maintained, heaters can last for 15-20 years. This timeframe depends on whether it was adequately maintained, where you live, and the furnace’s quality. You may need a couple of small repairs during this lifespan, but they’ll be much less expensive than a new unit.
There’s a couple of signs to look out for that your heater may be failing. If you notice any of them, we recommend you can start shopping around and find a new one before your current heater quits on you. Some signs include:
- You can’t heat your home properly
- Your energy bills have suddenly increased
- You have an abnormally dusty home
- Your unit is making unusual sounds or smells
- Your unit is 15 years old or older
In some cases, we will only have to repair the unit, not replace it. We can help determine if it’s more cost-effective to buy a new one or repair your old one.
To keep your heating and cooling system in top shape and prolong its lifespan, we recommend servicing it twice a year. Once for heating and once for air conditioning.
The right thermostat depends on your personal preferences, along with the equipment you have. We offer both programmable and non-programmable thermostats. Give us a call, and we can help you find the right one to maximize your heating system’s performance.
A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and air conditioning unit that works year-round. During warmer months, it works as an air conditioner to cool your home, and during the colder month, the process reverses and heats your home.