3 things to consider about replacing your furnace

Your furnace replacement doesn’t have to be a costly, emergency decision. Here’s three things to consider when it comes to deciding if it’s time to replace your furnace.

1. The average life of a well-maintained furnace can be as long as 15-25 years – but that means you need to maintain your furnace! Indications that you may need to call for a tune-up of your furnace include: your furnace making noise such as a rattling, distressed, scraping or high-pitched squeal, having trouble with your thermostat, dusty/dry air inside your home, and static electricity. While there is no such thing as an absolute guarantee to avoiding a furnace replacement, the benefits of annual furnace maintenance include: lower energy bills, fewer repairs, lower chance of a surprise breakdown, longer equipment life and safer equipment operation. If you haven’t been maintaining your furnace, it will likely need to be replaced earlier.
2. You’ll want to consider whether it’s worth it to pay for current repairs or buy a new unit. If you are starting to have some issues, add up those repairs or potential repairs and you will find you could easily be spending 25-30% of the cost of a new high efficiency furnace. By booking an annual furnace maintenance session with Ignite we look at the overall performance of your furnace and suggest if it’s time to plan for a replacement in the next few years.
3. The final factor to consider, is how cost-efficient it is to run your old furnace.  Efficiency decreases with age – and rapidly if annual furnace maintenance has been ignored. The cost of running a newer model high-efficiency furnace compared to a 20-year-old model is quite substantial. On average if your furnace is 15-25 years old it is likely a 55%-65% efficient model – we sell 97% efficient models, which could amount to a five-year energy savings  of over $5,000! As you make your decision, don’t forget the Alberta government rebate available for all installs is still in place! You can get some money back on your installs by applying with Energy Efficiency Alberta.

At Ignite Heating and Air Conditioning, your comfort is our concern! We provide on-site quotes to review your existing furnace and determine the best approach for replacement. We are able to provide you with options on the furnaces we sell to ensure that the features are both cost effective and meet your heating needs. Give us a call at 780.919.4916 today!