A common question that our customers ask us is when is the right time to replace your Ottawa furnace or air conditioner? Most homeowners don’t consider replacing their equipment until it malfunctions, resulting in a breakdown and a very hot or cold house. Generally, this happens after about ten to fifteen years for furnaces and air conditioners.
Prior to purchasing a new comfort system, it is important to evaluate your duct system. Ducts often loose efficiency over time resulting in reduced airflow, and uneven temperatures throughout a home. Dirty ducts can also contribute to a reduced lifespan of your equipment. By having properly sealed and clean ducts in your home, a new comfort system will work correctly and save you money every month on your energy costs.
So now to the point – When is the right time to replace your furnace or air conditioner? We have broken down a few criteria below to help you make your decision:
• Age of your Ottawa furnace or air conditioner system
• Cost of a repair
• Efficiency of your appliances
The first consideration is the age of your furnace or air conditioner. If you have experienced a breakdown and your equipment is nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s simply not worth putting any money into a repair.
With all of the buying options available today including financing and rentals, repairs often are just wasted money. When we make our recommendations whether to repair or replace, we weight the age of the equipment against the cost of the repair. The older the equipment, the more likely we will recommend a replacement.
Finally, it is important to look at the efficiency of your equipment. Advancements have been made over the past few years, and efficiency has been greatly improved. Furnace efficiency is measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). A more efficient furnace has a higher AFUE rating. When deciding to replace your equipment, consider the energy savings that would be obtained by having a more efficient model installed. Often in older homes the cost of a new furnace is offset by the energy savings obtained. You may even get your furnace for free.
At AirZone, we are here to help you make the right decision on when to replace your Ottawa Furnace or air conditioner. We provide honest HVAC advice based on years of experience in the industry. Contact us today for a free no obligation quote!
