Heating contractors typically can keep an old furnace operating safely beyond its average lifespan with annual inspections and service. Eventually, though, this appliance begins to pose an increased risk of toxic carbon monoxide leaks. That health hazard is the most prevalent problem connected with equipment that should have been removed sooner. If contractors are called to perform regular yearly maintenance, they can advise customers when to start thinking about new heating system installation.
Routine Maintenance
When a furnace lasts significantly longer than these appliances do on average, it's evidence of the high quality of the product and the conscientiousness of the owners. Scheduling annual inspections and maintenance is an important way to extend the longevity of the furnace and to prevent the need for emergency repair work. Replacing the air filter as instructed is another essential strategy.
Planning for Replacement
Once a furnace reaches the end of its expected lifespan, homeowners should begin planning for the installation of a new appliance. There might have been a couple of unexpected breakdowns in recent years, and the heating contractor may have already advised the customers to think ahead. Those workers realize when potential safety issues are increasingly more likely to develop.
The most common problem is a crack in the air exchanger causing carbon monoxide to leak into the building. This can be prevented by having a new furnace installed within the time frame recommended by the service technician.
Energy Efficiency
Older furnaces cannot offer the level of energy efficiency available with newer models. Old equipment may have been manufactured with ratings as low as 56 percent.
Even furnaces that were the highest-quality versions when they were manufactured gradually decrease in efficiency over the years. Annual maintenance keeps the equipment functioning at the best rate possible, but wear and tear with continued use reduces performance to a certain extent. After installation of a new high-efficiency furnace, the homeowners should enjoy seeing lower usage of their heating fuel reflected on their bills.
Additional Advantages
Decreased use of heating fuels also means fewer emissions being sent into the air. That's an environmentally friendly aspect of replacing a very old furnace.
New furnaces also have the advantage of being remarkably quieter. This is a particularly desirable feature for households in which the equipment is located relatively close to a main living space with inadequate noise blocking for the heating appliance. An example would be a living room with open steps leading to the front door and to the basement where the furnace was installed.
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