January 31, 2018

Do I Need A New Furnace? (3 Warning Signs)

Dave S-S Written by Dave S-S

Homeowners often ask: When should you replace your furnace? When we hear this question, there’s usually a good chance the homeowner has already picked up on some signs that their furnace isn’t performing as well as it should.

When it comes to your furnace — one of your home’s most important appliances — the ability to recognize signs that the end is near can save you a lot of frustration and money in the long run.

Here are the top three signs that a furnace needs replacing:

1. Age

We recently discussed how choosing a furnace is like buying wine. And while they say that wine gets better with age, the same certainly cannot be said about furnaces. On average, a gas furnace will last 15 years or more, particularly if you’ve stuck to a routine maintenance program.

Not only are older furnaces incredibly inefficient (see below), but they become a major liability the older they get. We might be tempted to simply throw on an extra sweater or a warmer duvet and shrug off signs that an old furnace isn’t keeping up like it used to, but a comfort issue quickly becomes a safety issue when the mercury dips below -30 degrees Celsius during our Albertan winters. It’s important to acknowledge the lifespan of your home’s furnace and proactively plan for its replacement so you’re not caught off guard by a home heating emergency.

2. Insufficient (and inefficient) home heating

If your home heating bills seem to be increasing year-over-year in similar weather conditions (and provided the cost of natural gas is relatively stable), it’s likely that your furnace isn’t working as efficiently as it once did. Other signs include uneven heating or cold spots in your home and more frequent cycling.

Replacing an old furnace with a brand new, energy-efficient furnace will save you money on utilities over time. At First Call, all furnace models have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of at least 92 per cent — with some as high as 98.7 per cent! To put it in perspective, an older, less efficient furnace may produce only half as much heat as a newer, high-efficiency furnace using the same amount of energy.

Homeowners often choose to invest in furnace replacement as part of a whole-home renovation project. In fact, a large-scale home reno is a great opportunity to incorporate several energy-efficient home upgrades that boost value, lower monthly bills, and reduce your family’s carbon footprint.

3. Costly repairs

When clients ask, “Do I need a new furnace?” we give our expert opinion, taking into consideration a number of factors, not least of which is the cost of ongoing repairs. In reality, there’s no surefire way to know exactly how long a furnace will last, but inevitably there comes a time when the cost of repairs exceeds the long-term value of the furnace itself.

Choosing between repairing or replacing a furnace can be tough considering furnace replacement is a significant investment. A new furnace installation starts at about $3,500. However, in addition to saving money on costly repairs, homeowners gain additional peace of mind with a new furnace warranty. Most of the furnaces we sell are eligible for a 10-year limited extended warranty with product registration.

You’ve opted for a furnace replacement. Now what?

After conducting a thorough assessment, one of our professional sales advisors will provide you with furnace replacement options that take into consideration your home’s specific heating needs and budget. Many clients express interest in installing additional indoor air quality products at the same time as a furnace replacement.

Complementary products may include:

Not only is it less disruptive to install multiple products in one home visit, but you can really cash in on significant savings with manufacturers like Lennox offering generous rebates and promotions on product bundles.

At First Call, we aim for a stress-free installation process from start to finish. We pull all required permits on your behalf and our professional installation technicians take care to minimize the disruption while in your home. Most furnace systems take a full day to install and once completed, you make a quick call to the City/County for an inspection, while we register your products and apply for any rebates on your behalf. Afterwards, we’ll give you friendly reminder calls when it’s time for servicing or a filter change.

Is the end near for your current furnace? Give us a call at 780-464-3337 or send us a message and we’ll gladly answer any questions you have about furnace replacement.

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