Things I Wish I Knew Before Replacing My Furnace
No homeowner wants to hear that they need a new furnace. A furnace is a necessary appliance that is inconvenient and expensive to replace. In addition, if your furnace breaks down during the winter months, you may be in a time crunch to find and install a new one.
Springdale, AR, residents know how uncomfortable and even dangerous it can be to go without a heating source for even a few hours. Investing in a regular furnace tune-up is the best way to avoid unexpected furnace replacement. But if you do find yourself in the furnace market, there are a few key things you should know:
1. Get Advice from a Professional, Not the Internet
It only takes a moment of internet searching to realize advice on furnace replacement is all over the place. You’ll see price estimates vary by thousands of dollars and plenty of dangerous DIY recommendations.
The price you will ultimately pay for replacement varies greatly depending on the level of efficiency you choose, the fuel you use, and where you live. Residents of Springdale, AR, may pay less than residents in New Jersey.
Consult an expert right away; they will be able to walk you through options and help you choose the right furnace for your home.
2. Seriously Consider Investing in Energy Efficiency
There’s no way around it; energy-efficient furnaces tend to be more expensive. It may be tempting to select a furnace on the lower end of the spectrum. However, you need to consider how an energy-efficient furnace may decrease your monthly energy bill.
Most furnace distributors will be able to provide you with a monthly operating estimate to give you an idea of potential savings. Also, remember that the furnace is only one factor in how efficiently your home is heated.
Consider getting an energy audit to determine whether there are other improvements you can make, like adding insulation or repairing doors to decrease your energy bills.
3. Ask a Furnace Professional About Rebates
Any HVAC professional will be familiar with rebates or other incentives that the furnace manufacturer or your energy company may be offering. It is not uncommon for gas providers to give incentives to upgrade to a more energy-efficient furnace. These rebates can be anywhere from $20 to several hundred dollars.
In addition, furnace manufacturers will often offer a rebate as a purchasing incentive upfront. A combination of these incentives can make a real difference in how much you will ultimately pay.
4. Understand Your Warranty
Warranties can be complicated and confusing, and this is often by design. Your HVAC professional will be able to tell you which furnace manufacturers offer good and fair warranties and which ones don’t.
Some warranties will only cover minor issues, while others cover total loss in addition to furnace tune-ups. If your warranty on the furnace does not include the cost of labor, you can inquire about getting an additional warranty from your HVAC company.
5. Invest in Maintenance for Your New Furnace
Just like you’d change the oil in a new car, you need to invest in regular furnace tune-ups. Furnace tune-ups can detect problems with airflow, broken components, excess build-up, and more.
Regular maintenance will help prevent small problems from turning into catastrophic issues. Aside from preventing your furnace from shutting down, tune-ups are also necessary to ensure that your furnace is running safely and efficiently.
While researching furnace warranties and rebates isn’t particularly fun, it is a necessary part of the furnace replacement process, and you’ll be glad you did in the long run.
If you are located in the Springdale, Lowell, or Tontitown, AR, area and require any furnace services, call Stith Plumbing & HVAC today. We provide furnace tune-up, repair, replacement, and installation, and we’re available around the clock for all of your furnace needs.