It’s definitely time to replace the furnace in my home.
- The heating system was already installed when we moved in.
We were concerned with the age and condition of the heater and had expected to update it within the first year or two. We’ve now lived in the house for eight years. The furnace is showing the wear and tear of so many long, cold winters. We typically start up the furnace sometime in October and keep it running until sometime in April or even May. The temperature is regularly below freezing and often well below zero. In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed that the heating system is running more frequently and for longer cycles. I think that the output of heated air has steadily diminished. The furnace struggles to keep up with the demands of the particularly severe weather. While comfort has declined, my monthly utility bills have grown higher. Plus, there has been an increase in the amount of dust and other contaminants getting circulated throughout the house. I am worried that the furnace is going to fail right when we need it the most. If it quits during a nasty blizzard, we could be in trouble. Going without heat could quickly cause our water pipes to freeze and burst. However, when the roads are impassable and there’s a winter weather advisory, it would be very difficult to convince an HVAC contractor to provide furnace installation. I’d also need to accept whatever furnace was available. I would prefer to schedule the installation project over the summer. I’d like the opportunity to look into different brands, models and features. There are options now that achieve 98% AFUE ratings and offer perks such as zone control.