KNOWING WHEN IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM
On the first cold day of autumn, Canadians stand in front of their home thermostats and hope their heating systems will spring to life. But if there are no reassuring sounds of a furnace at work and the comforting flow of warm air, it’s clearly time to call in the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) professionals.
Proactive homeowners call in service experts to do a check-up of the equipment before it stops working. “Timely repairs may extend the life of your heating system, saving you money in the long run,” says John Read, general manager of Bryant Heating, Air Conditioning& Plumbing in Windsor.
In business since 1921, the company sells, installs and repairs HVAC equipment in Windsor-Essex County. Available24/7, 365 days a year, Bryant Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing backs its work with its written 100 per cent satisfaction guarantee.
While every effort is made to put an existing furnace back in working order, Read says ,“at some point, it doesn’t make sense to repair your heating system. A new home comfort solution is required .”
What are the indicators that your heating system should be replaced?
• Frequent repair costs. If the annual costs to repair your heating system hit 50 per cent of what the equipment is worth, it probably needs to be replaced.
• Energy efficiency. Today’s heating systems provide superior energy efficiency compared to older units. This results in lower utility bills and greater comfort. Tax credits, utility rebates and manufacturers’ incentives might also help reduce a new system’s cost.
• Old age. A furnace eventually comes to the end of its working life, opening an opportunity to replace it with a new HVAC system engineered with leading edge technology.
• Excessive noise. The rumbling of ana ging furnace may get louder over time, indicating it has to work harder to get the job done. Today’s modern comfort solutions are whisper quiet, operating unobtrusively.
• Temperature and comfort issues. The amount of time you spend fidgeting with the thermostat, adjusting the setting to maintain a comfortable temperature, is a signal your furnace may be faltering. Aproperlyoper- ating heating system maintains warmth uniformly throughout the home.
• Humidity issues. The furnace impacts the humidity level in the home. Heat that is too dry can cause discomfort. Upgrading to upper-tier heating and cooling equipment helps achieve and maintain the ideal humidity balance by adding or removing moisture before it ever enters the HVAC system.
• Air quality issues. Even clean homes can have poor air quality. Persistent sinus congestion, allergies, headaches, coughing, respiratory illness or other symptoms are reason to consult a HVAC expert about indoor airquality products that can filter out irritants and pollution. The solution may be as simple as an allergent rapping air filter.
Current manufacturers’ and utility rebates make it possible to save as much as $3,250 on a new home comfort system. Consumers can also save up to 50 per cent compared to their current costs after installing a new high-efficiency system.