Life happens. Unexpected things come up. The “that came out of left field” challenges always costs you emotionally, physically or financially. Sometimes all three. Having to replace your furnace or any part of your heating and cooling system is usually not a life and death situation, unless the summer is unbearably warm or cold or the people who live in the home are either very young or very old. Most homeowners know how old their system is and how long the equipment is suppose to last. Unfortunately, the estimates that the manufacturers publish are only a good estimate if the unit was properly and regularly maintained.
Your air conditioner and furnace work in conjunction, much like the 4 tires on your car. When it comes time to replace your car’s tires, you usually replace all four tires and not just two. When it’s time to replace the furnace, the air conditioner is also replaced at the same time or when summer rolls around. Replacing HVAC equipment today can cost a homeowner of an average size house anywhere between $4,000-$20,000. It makes good fiscal sense to ensure the longevity and efficiency of the furnace you have right now and take advantage of these three equipment saving tips.
Keep your furnace clean. Have regular maintenance.
Your local HVAC Company offers customers a Service Contract that includes 2 maintenance checks a year. These maintenance appointments include cleaning the coils and blower, replacing the filter and ensuring that the furnace parts are lubricated and functioning properly. This is even more important if you have a pet dog or cat as hair can clog the blower. The more efficient your system is the better it runs. The better it runs the more efficient it is at keeping your desired set temperature.
Move the temperature 5 degrees
Adjusting your thermostat up and down 5 degrees when the house is empty during the day puts undue pressure on your furnace to meet your demand for heat. You may have noticed that your system never cycles off when you use this method of controlling your energy costs (which doesn’t help lower your utility bill as planned). The furnace constantly runs to try and bring the indoor temperature up to the set temperature. Keeping the thermostat set is the best way to protect your equipment from wear and tear and save you money by running it more efficiently.
Technology also makes efficiencies easier. There are Wi-Fi thermostats that can be controlled by an app on your phone. HVAC Equipment utilizes software to control a programmable thermostat from your phone. Some have the capability of programming 7 days, showing 5 days of weather, has radar, weather alerts, an indoor relative humidity reading, and a warranty when you register it. Wi-Fi thermostats work with gas, electric, heat pump and dual fuel systems.
Create an HVAC replacement plan
When the unexpected happens, it costs you time, energy and money. If your furnace goes out in the deep cold of winter, it will be inconvenient and costly. Time to compare brands or efficiencies will not be available. Creating a plan for the replacement of your HVAC system gives you the freedom to choose the best HVAC equipment for your home, without the pressure of having to replace one under pressure. Call CM Mose & Son and a professional, NATE certified, customer service-oriented team member will give you an estimate for a new HVAC system that will work within your budget. This quote enables you to plan for a future HVAC replacement. Knowing replacement costs will be a starting point for a monthly savings plan to replace your furnace and air conditioner when you want to replace it. Not when you have to replace it.
There are some events in your life that you know about and schedule. And there are the events that happen when you don’t expect it. These events are never convenient. Do what you can to make sure your heating and air conditioning equipment lasts longer. And plan for the replacement so you can control your budget, how you pay for it and what brand and efficiency is best for you.
This article was originally published in October 2014 and has been recently updated.