5 Reasons to Replace Your Furnace This Spring
5 Reasons to Replace Your Furnace This Spring
In the spring, your furnace finally goes dormant, at least for a few months, after a long winter of hard work as outdoor temperatures continue to rise. This shouldn’t, however, mean that it’s out of sight, out of mind. In fact, if your furnace is getting on in years, you need to have it replaced with a more reliable, efficient model, and there’s no greater time to do it than this spring!
Here W.E. Beavers Jr. Heating & Cooling, a leading provider of HVAC repairs and installations, explains why the best time to replace your furnace is in the spring.
Reasonable prices. Spring is a sluggish season for HVAC contractors. During this time, they’re frequently short on work, which means fewer furnaces are sold and installed. As a result, you can use the downtime to negotiate better prices on a replacement furnace. Many HVAC providers offer discounts and special deals, including the finest rebates, in the spring. You may even be able to find a bargain on one of last year’s furnace models.
Better weather. The pleasant spring weather ensures that you won’t be inconvenienced or uncomfortable while your new equipment is fitted. Because you don’t need air conditioning in the spring, it could be a good idea to ask about a package offer and have your old air conditioner updated as well. This will provide you with a more comfortable home and also help you save on energy, not only over the summer and winter months but for the foreseeable future.
Cost-effective installation. You can save money by updating both systems if you plan ahead rather than waiting for an emergency replacement. Having a heating and cooling services specialist visit your home once rather than twice is more cost-effective. Not only do most furnaces and air conditioners have similar lifespans and often need to be replaced at the same time, they also rely on one another. Some work may need to be redone when the second system is installed if they’re to be replaced separately.
The opportunity to review your options. Since you’re upgrading your furnace proactively instead of reactively when it breaks down, you have plenty of time to decide which model and features will best fit the needs of your household. Some technologies can help you save energy and money on your monthly utility costs, while others can increase your comfort. Work with your local HVAC contractor for help finding the best furnace to meet your home’s comfort and energy efficiency requirements.
More scheduling flexibility. Since you won’t be installing a new HVAC system in the dead of winter, you can schedule your installation whenever works best for you. Since furnace installers have less work to do in the spring, you may be able to arrange a more flexible date. It doesn’t matter if you need furnace installation or any type of heating service; you can be sure that there are a lot of professionals who specialize in HVAC repairs and installations who can help.
Signs That Your Home’s Old Furnace Needs to Be Replaced
Of course, you shouldn’t tackle this HVAC project without knowing for sure if your current unit needs to be replaced. There are ways to tell if your existing heating system is no longer functioning as well as before. Here are some of them:
- Your furnace is getting old. With normal use and maintenance, furnaces can last 15 to 20 years. Do you remember when it was first installed? If the unit was installed before you moved into your current home, you can have it checked by your local HVAC technician to determine its age and whether or not it needs to be replaced.
- You find yourself feeling cold even when the heat is on. You want your furnace to perform its intended function so you feel comfortable during the colder months. Keeping your thermostat turned down is sensible if your home is cooler than average. An unusually cold or unevenly heated home, however, may indicate a problem. Repairs and maintenance by certified heating services providers can sometimes fix the problem. These signs may indicate that your furnace isn’t working as efficiently as it once did.
- Your energy bills keep rising. If your energy bills begin skyrocketing out of nowhere, first compare your utility prices and current weather to previous years. If these numbers have remained consistent, the furnace could be the issue. Older furnaces are notoriously inefficient, so when finding a replacement, examine the newest models’ ENERGY STAR® ratings to see how much efficiency you can gain. Remember that while a new furnace and installation will cost a lot, you’ll save money in the long run by lowering your utility bills and potentially avoiding future repairs.
- The indoor air quality in your home is poor. If you notice that your home is becoming dustier or that your indoor air quality is degrading, you may have a furnace problem. A furnace shouldn’t just provide heat for your home–it should also help to maintain air quality. In the dry winter months, you may require a humidifier, and if you have allergies or asthma, you might need an air purifier. Having your furnace checked by a professional heating and cooling services specialist is another option.
- You notice unusual behavior. You’ll know something isn’t quite right if your furnace starts making strange noises or giving off unusual odors. The smell of rotten eggs can signify a serious natural gas leak, which is why your gas company should be notified promptly after you’ve shut off your furnace. Call your technician if you hear loud grinding or banging sounds coming from inside the equipment.
Once you’ve made the choice to invest in a new system, conduct some research using the ENERGY STAR listings for furnaces to identify the most energy-efficient ones and get the most bang for your buck. You might also consider replacing your gas, oil or electric resistance heater with heat pump technology, which utilizes temperature variations between the inside and outside to heat and cool your home.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Trust W.E. Beavers Jr. Heating & Cooling for all your HVAC needs. We offer a wide range of cooling and heating services, including ductwork installation and repair and indoor air quality testing. We’ll work to find a product that will properly heat or cool your home and will also fit within your budget. Call us at (703) 897-5505 to learn more, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
