Is it getting to be that time? Are you worried about how much longer your furnace can keep running? Of course, since most homeowners are not HVAC experts, it can be hard to tell. You probably have questions.
How much more can you expect from your furnace? How can you keep it running as long as possible? When is the right time to replace it? We’ve got you covered. We’ll tell you all about the life expectancies of different heating systems, how to keep them in good shape, and how to know when it’s time for a furnace install in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Types of Furnaces
There are two main categories of furnaces. There are those which run entirely on electricity, and those which use the combustion of some sort of fuel to create heat. This fuel is generally natural gas. The two types of furnaces have different life expectancies. A gas furnace will generally last about 10-15 years, and an electric furnace will last a little longer.
Why can’t a gas furnace last as long? The biggest reason is corrosion. Once the system begins to rust, it won’t take very long for it to be ineffective, inefficient, and even unsafe. Gas furnaces experience corrosion before electric furnaces do. This is because the combustion of fuel creates condensation in the system, and this condensation is acidic. Over time, it eats away at the furnace.
Keeping Your Furnace Going
There are three main aspects of furnace well-being that you should stay on top of. The first is the routine maintenance you can do yourself. Specifically, this means changing your furnace’s air filter. This should be done monthly during the coldest stretch of winter, and somewhat less often when the furnace is being used, but not as much.
Second, there’s routine maintenance done by a qualified HVAC technician. This needs to be done once a year, ideally in the fall, and it makes a huge difference to the life expectancy of the furnace. With no maintenance at all, a heating system is likely to last only half as long as it should!
Finally, keep an eye out for warning signs that your furnace needs repair. Catching problems early means keeping them small and easily repaired. If you notice odd noises or smells, uneven heat, unusually short heating cycles, poor airflow, or rising utility bills, have your furnace checked.
Furnace Replacement
If your furnace is already in very poor condition, it may not be worth trying to keep it running for much longer. The cost of small repairs for an old furnace can easily add up, even if it doesn’t need one very costly repair. And at a certain point, it will simply be inefficient, costing an unnecessary amount to run, and still not quite performing as well as you would hope. We can always provide an informed opinion on whether a system is due for replacement or can still get by with a repair.
For professional furnace installation, maintenance, and repair, look no further than Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. Contact us today!