Should I Replace My 25 Year Old Furnace?
I know that I should replace my 25-year-old furnace… But why?
Your current equipment consumes too much energy – According to US News and World Report, national averages show that Americans spend approximately $1200 per year on home heating and cooling. If you own an older unit, yours likely is one of the guzzlers. It could be costing you up to $500 more per year than an energy-efficient model that meets current federal standards. This means that over 25 years, you will have spent upwards of $14,000 on your inefficient furnace!
Your equipment has had its fair share of regular repair work – Between January and December 2016 alone, 65% of American households made at least one heating or air conditioning repair. If this sounds familiar to you, not only are you contributing to greenhouse gas emissions by using additional power for extended periods after making these repairs (if they even succeed), but your system is also suffering wear and tear, which leads to costly future breaks downs. Your system is on its last legs – If your furnace is more than 20 years old, it has had a great run. However, the national average lifespan for furnaces is 15 to 20 years, depending on usage. (1) Often, you will barely notice that it’s dying until one day when you’re trying to warm up your house in the winter, and it just can’t keep up with demand any longer. The fact is that these older heaters are inefficient and not always consistent at maintaining temperatures throughout your home, which leads many homeowners to get caught off guard during extreme weather conditions.
Your system does not meet current building codes – A new HVAC system is your best bet if you want to ensure that your home meets current building codes. The President’s Energy Strategy for Buildings states that building standards now require all new equipment to be twenty times more efficient than older models.
I Can’t Afford to Replace My Furnace!
Many grants are available to homeowners who want to replace their inefficient units with newer models. These federal programs provide up to $6,000 in rebates which cover 50% of the price of a new heat pump or furnace. Suppose you live in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, or Vermont. In that case, you are also eligible for additional state grants, which can cover between 25% and 45% of your total costs, depending on your location.