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If you have a furnace that was installed in your house more than two decades ago, it may be in your best interest to have it replaced. Of course, there are many factors that you’ll need to consider when determining if it has to be replaced today or if you can hold out another few months before doing so.
Does It Run Consistently?
To still be in your house for more than two decades, your furnace most likely has a track record for adequately heating your home. However, just because it still runs doesn’t mean that it runs well or that you aren’t spending more time and money on maintenance than you would on a newer unit. Ultimately, you should at least start shopping around for new heating systems to learn more about modern features as well as benefit from modern efficiency standards.
Why Older Furnaces Are Less Efficient
There are three reasons why an older furnace is almost certainly less efficient than one that was installed at the beginning of the century. First, as a furnace ages, parts will experience wear and tear that can make it harder to run well even if you replace items that break or have simply hit the end of their useful lives.
Next, modern furnaces have features that allow you to control when they operate and for how long. They may also have features that allow for zoned heating, which means that you can further tailor how heat is distributed so that only spaces that are occupied are warmed on a regular basis.
Finally, and most importantly, older furnaces aren’t held to the same efficiency standards as newer ones are. Since 2005, heating systems must have a minimum SEER rating of 13. Units installed prior to 2005 only had to have a SEER rating of 10. While this may not seem like a big difference, it can represent a significant energy savings, which results in much lower utility bills.
Can You Get Parts for an Older Unit?
Let’s assume that you want to keep your older furnace even if it costs more to maintain and isn’t as efficient as it once was. While you may want to keep what you have, it may not be possible as most HVAC service providers won’t have parts for systems that old. This means that your only options are to pay more to an HVAC professional to source the part or to source the part yourself.
In the event that the right part can be found, there is no guarantee that a professional will have been trained to install it. If you decide to install it on your own, you run the risk of damaging the furnace beyond repair. Ultimately, there is a good chance that you’ll need to simply get a new heating system whether you want to or not.
New Units Are Covered By a Warranty
Your very old furnace is unlikely to be covered by a warranty or any type of service guarantee. Therefore, you’ll have to pay for every repair out of your own pocket. Even if you have a service plan, you’ll typically have to pay at least a discounted price to repair anything that breaks or wears out over time.
Conversely, a new unit is covered by a warranty, which means that you won’t have to pay for most issues that might arise during the coverage period. Warranties typically last for at least two years after your unit is installed, and they often cover replacement parts or quick repairs of any issues that occurred during installation.
Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
Over time, your furnace will accumulate a significant amount of dust, dirt, and other debris. That debris can make its way into the air as well as make its way through ducts and vents whenever the furnace is in operation. This may occur even if you replace air filters as recommended by the manufacturer as well as have your furnace cleaned regularly.
Meanwhile, a new unit will be much cleaner, which means that you won’t have to deal with pollutants cycling through your house. New units may also come with their own filtration systems, which means that they will get rid of a greater number of particles without any intervention on your part. In other words, you don’t have to remember to change an air filter or take other steps that you might otherwise take to keep an older unit clean.
You Can Get New Ducts, Too
One additional advantage to getting a new furnace is that it gives you a reason to have existing ducts cleaned and inspected. If your ducts are also more than two decades old, you might want to consider having them repaired or replaced. This will further enhance indoor air quality as well as make your home more efficient as new ducts will be clean and fit together properly. Ultimately, you won’t have to worry about particles clogging them or air falling through gaps and causing uneven heating.
Improve Your Home’s Value
Replacing your current furnace may boost the value of your home, make it easier to sell, or both. This is because a buyer won’t have to worry about the heating system for up to 20 years after buying the home. In the meantime, the new owner can enjoy lower utility costs as well as the peace of mind that comes with avoiding a major home improvement project. You can also make your home safer by eliminating mold, a pest infestation, or other issues that might have been caused or aided by an older furnace or older ductwork.
Avoid Secondary Issues
Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home in the near future, a new furnace can prevent secondary issues from occurring. For instance, an older furnace may struggle to fully combust, which could lead to a gas leak. A gas leak could put the house at risk of an explosion, and exposure to gas can cause health issues for yourself, your family, or your pets.
Financial Assistance Might Be Available
You may be entitled to state or federal tax credits for installing items in your home that carry the ENERGY STAR label. These credits can help to significantly reduce the overall cost of your new heating system, which may make it easier to justify opting for a new one now instead of waiting. Manufacturer discounts might also be available to further defray upfront costs and ensure that you get a quality product that meets your needs and budget.
Our Experts Can Help
If you need a new heating system installed in your Sacramento home, don’t hesitate to contact us at Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation today. We can also help with cooling system repair and maintenance as well as putting new ducts or insulation in your house. Finally, we’ll be happy to help install a new water heater, furnace, or whole-house fan to keep your home comfortable throughout the year.
