New furnace installation is a big investment for homeowners, so you want to be sure it’s needed. However, it’s not always easy to tell if your furnace is about to give out for good. Here are some signs to watch for that can help you decide if it’s time to pursue new furnace installation.

Furnace Is More Than 15 Years Old

The average service life for a furnace is around 15 years, though this lifespan can be shortened or lengthened depending on factors such as maintenance habits and usage. If your current furnace is nearing the 15-year mark or has exceeded it, it’s likely that furnace replacement is on the horizon based on age alone. At this age, it’s also beneficial to install a new furnace based on energy efficiency, as new models are far more efficient than those made many years ago.

Frequent Repairs

Have you had to call us for furnace repairs over the last few winters? Unfortunately, frequent repair needs can be a sign that bigger problems are likely to follow. Furnaces tend to break down more often in their last two years of life. If you’ve had to make repairs throughout the last year or two, it’s time to look into new furnace installation now so you can hopefully avoid a surprise breakdown and scrambling to replace your system on short notice.

Expensive Repairs

Has your furnace suffered a significant malfunction that will be costly to repair? Financially, it can make more sense to replace a furnace in this situation, especially if the furnace is older. If repair costs are more than half the cost of a new furnace installation, it’s generally advisable to invest in a new furnace with new warranty protection instead of paying for major repairs.

With so many options available on the market, shopping for a new furnace can feel overwhelming. When you work with Robinson Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. for your furnace installation, we put our knowledge to work for you in order to find the right furnace that meets your needs. Here are a few of the main factors homeowners need to consider when buying a new furnace:

Efficiency Rating

A furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE rating. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which represents how efficiently a furnace turns fuel into heat. The lowest efficiency furnace available is 80% AFUE, but high-efficiency models are available up to about 98.5% AFUE. The higher your new furnace’s AFUE rating, the more you stand to save on energy costs because the furnace wastes less. However, furnaces with higher AFUE ratings generally cost more to purchase than their less-efficient counterparts.

Size

When it comes to your home’s heating system, size is a very important factor. Finding the perfect fit is key because a furnace that is too small or too large won’t perform as you need it to and can cause other problems, such as higher energy bills, more frequent repairs, and even the need to replace the furnace earlier than expected.

With Robinson Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. on your side, you can be sure your new furnace is sized correctly for your home and heating needs. We perform the proper calculations to determine your home’s heating load so that the new furnace will be powerful enough to keep your household comfortable without worry.