Informed Decision: Replacement Furnace Basics
One of the more difficult decisions homeowners have to make is selecting a replacement furnace for their home when its life is over.
"Because the lifespan of furnaces can range from15 to 25 years depending on the brand and the level of maintenance the furnace has received over the years the result is the average homeowner knows very little about furnaces and what things need to be considered when the time to change comes. Being prepared is really the only option you have. So if your furnace is 15 years old or more, you should be aware of what your system is and what your replacement choices are." Steve Sundstrom, Warren Heating in Madison.
FACT: Your Furnace Is Likely To Need Replacement In Crisis Situations
It’s probably no surprise that your furnace is most likely to breakdown during the time of hardest use. Of course, this is also the time of greatest need and this is something you can’t change. However, if you know what you need before there is a crisis you can make a pre-emptive purchase/installation or wait, but research your options before the “breakdown.”
“If you wait until there is a breakdown,” Sundstrom says, “be aware that in the time of greatest need, the contractors you have to work with will have their biggest backlog and that translates into no price breaks and occasionally a longer waiting time.”
If you want to plan ahead, you can have the replacement budgeted for or you can consider replacing your unit during the off season before there is a crisis (if your furnace is 15 years old or more). Late winter to early spring and late summer to early fall are slow times for most HVAC contractors.
For most people, a forced air furnace is the system of choice. In these cases, there are two combustion choices to choose from which affect efficiency and ultimately the homeowners out of pocket expense for heating their home. The table below provides a few basics on the combustion choices and the impact they have on your pocketbook and your home.
