In Canada, saying that your furnace is important is putting it lightly. A new furnace is a big investment and a major expense when it comes to your bills, so it's important to maintain it annually so that it lasts and runs as efficiently as possible.
(Schedule a furnace tune up today with Jiffy)
We’ve already talked about ways that you can save money on your heating bill this winter, but today we wanted to talk specifically about your furnace. Maintaining them can be a difficult thing to remember to do, but replacing your old furnace and getting a new one is very expensive. Where's the line drawn when it comes to repairing or replacing your furnace?
TL;DR - it comes down to safety. While your furnace may be keeping you warm in these cold winter months, it can also leak carbon monoxide into your home. Every home should have a functioning carbon monoxide detector plugged in near the room where their furnace is kept. And when in doubt, a certified HVAC pro will be able to tell you whether or not your family is at risk.
We’ll walk through each scenario - repair and replace - below!
Repair
Furnaces have a lifespan of about 12 - 15 years so if your furnace is less than 12 years old, there’s probably still lots of life in it and it’s worth just fixing any issues that arise. HVAC pros look at furnaces and air conditioning units all day everyday so most issues that arise are easy for them to pinpoint and fix quickly.
The number one defence for your furnace is to get it maintained on a yearly basis. This small investment should circumvent any major repairs since an HVAC pro can catch small issues and fix them before they become big ones that may require a whole new system.
Replace
Here are the telltale signs that it’s time to replace your furnace:
- You find yourself constantly calling in a pro to do repairs.
- Your hydro bills are going up, despite the fact that you’re not fluctuating the temperature in your home.
- The rooms in your house are heating unevenly - some are warmer or colder than others.
- When set to auto, your furnace is running or is off more frequently than before.
- Your furnace becomes excessively noisy - it rattles, buzzes, or hums - when previously it was much quieter.
- There’s rust in and/or around the furnace unit, or there’s cracks or corrosion on the unit.
If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure to call in Jiffy right away.
There's no reason why your furnace shouldn't last up to 15 years, or even more! With proper maintenance and care, your furnace should continue to run efficiently and keep you and your family warm throughout the entire winter season.
Click here to schedule a maintenance call with Jiffy.
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20 Ways to Save Money on Your Heating Bills
