is your attic well-ventilated?

Your furnace is an essential part of your home. It is important to make sure that you take care of it properly in order to keep your home safe and warm. Regular maintenance is an important part of that. If you are faced with a repair bill, you may be wondering if it is time to replace your furnace. Here are five things to consider before deciding to replace your furnace.

How Old Is Your Furnace?

Over the last few years furnaces have become more energy efficient. According to Energystar.gov, any furnace that is over fifteen years old should be replaced because heating costs can be reduced significantly. If you have a heat pump system, it should be replaced if it is more than ten years old.

What Is Your Insulation Like?

You may feel that your power bill is too expensive, but your furnace is not that old. You may also feel that there are cold rooms in your house. Before you replace your furnace check out the insulation in the attic and around the windows of your coldest and draftiest rooms. You may be able to save money by adding insulation, even if you do end up replacing your furnace.

Do You Have Too Much Dust in Your Home?

Some homeowners blame the furnace if the house is too dusty. You may be tempted to replace it to take care of dust and allergy issues, but an alternative is to have the ducts cleaned in your home. Generally, your furnace repair shop will offer this service, and it may end up saving you money, especially if you have a good furnace already installed. You may want to have your ducts cleaned every two years if you have someone with severe allergies in your home.

Is the Cost of the Repair Too Much?

You may have to pay for a repair because your furnace stopped working. There comes a point when replacing an older furnace makes more sense that continuing to make repairs. Your furnace repair service can help you choose a good, more efficient furnace for your home. You may also be able to upgrade for things like a programmable thermostat to help you save money on your costs.

Do You Want to Change Heating System Types?

You may be wanting to switch from an electric heat pump to a natural gas furnace to save on your heating bills each year. Additionally, you may want to change from an oil heating system to an electric one. Take the time to research the options and get quotes about the additional ductwork you will need to have done to change your system over. However, this may provide savings and more reliable heat depending on where you live.

For more information, contact a company like Comfy Cave Heating and Air.