If you have an older furnace, the winter season comes with a nail-biting question: Will your furnace be able to keep your home warm and comfortable from beginning to end?
The typical lifespan of a furnace—according to the U.S. Department of Energy—is between 15 and 30 years. That means it’s time to start thinking about replacing your furnace if it’s in that age range, or older.
A new furnace is a major investment in your Delaware-area home. The decision to replace, and choosing the right furnace, can be stressful. But Poore’s Propane is here for you every step of the way.
First, we’re honest with you. Often, repairs are sufficient to keep your furnace going. But there’s eventually a tipping point where it’s no longer sensible or cost-effective to keep making repairs. Whichever it is, we’ll lay out all your options.
Here are the questions you’ll need to answer to help you make the decision:
How much are you spending on repairs? It’s tempting to repair your furnace to get it through just one more winter. But eventually, that’s just throwing away money to prolong the inevitable. It’s time to replace your furnace if the cost of repairing it is more than 50% of the cost of a new one.
How does your furnace sound? Pops, shrieks, rattles, or noisy buzzing might all be indicators of a problem. Contact us for a service call and we’ll check it out to get to the bottom of things.
How are your heating costs? The cost of heating depends on the weather and market conditions. However, if you’ve noticed a significant change in your propane usage and expenditures recently, it’s time to get expert help deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace.
How is your home being heated? If your furnace is not producing enough heat, heating some rooms less than others, or the air coming out of it feels humid, it’s losing power. A Poore’s Propane service technician can do a service check and help you determine whether your furnace should be repaired or replaced.
How does the future look for you? If you plan on selling your home in the next two or three years, a new furnace can be a good investment both in your comfort now and in making your home more appealing to buyers and increasing its resale value when you are ready to sell. Is retirement coming up in the next few years? Now is the optimal time to replace your furnace. You’ll not only get better comfort and lower energy costs, but you also won’t have to worry about costly repairs, breakdowns, or replacements when you’ll be on a fixed income.
Even with regular maintenance, a decades-old furnace isn’t going to be as efficient as today’s new, high-efficiency furnaces.
Propane furnaces have improved tremendously in recent years. How efficient are they? They can achieve efficiencies of 98%! That means for every dollar you spend on propane for heating your home, 98 cents of it is spent almost entirely on heating, with only 2% wasted through the combustion process. You’ll get a return on your investment in a new furnace from the day you turn it on.
Additionally, our affordable, convenient service plans also help you save on your new furnace, as they all include an annual maintenance tune-up and provide coverage for many parts and labor costs!
Poore’s Propane is your one-stop destination for home heating. From installation and service* for your furnace to reliable delivery of your propane or heating oil, Poore’s does it all! Become a customer today and experience the difference we can make for you.
*Available for customers within our Delaware HVAC service area only.