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Is It a Good Idea To Replace a 25-Year-Old Furnace?

If you’re like most homeowners in Lincoln, NE, you know how critical a reliable heating system is in the winter. For that reason, you’ve likely put great care into maintaining your home’s furnace to keep it going year after year. However, every furnace will reach the end of its useful life sooner or later. Here are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to replace your 25-year-old furnace, even if it’s still working.

To Improve Energy Efficiency

If your current furnace is 25 years old, it may be costing you more than necessary in fuel costs. Back when your furnace was brand new, the minimum efficiency standard set by the Department of Energy was only 78%. Unless you purchased a high-end furnace, your current system wouldn’t have been very efficient, even when new. Add years of wear and tear, and there’s a good chance your furnace is even less efficient today. If you replace it with a new furnace, you’re guaranteed to get an efficiency upgrade, as the current minimum efficiency standard is 81%.

To Avoid Sudden Breakdowns

Regardless of the kind of furnace you now own, it’s unlikely that it will continue to operate reliably at 25 years old. Even the best-maintained furnaces typically give out by their 30th birthdays. The question you need to ask yourself then is, do you want to risk your furnace failing right in the middle of a cold Lincoln winter? If not, it’s a good idea to think about replacing your 25-year-old furnace before it suffers a breakdown at an inopportune moment.

To Improve Safety

Lastly, every time your furnace cycles on and off, its heat exchanger expands and contracts from the heat it’s exposed to. There are only so many times that metal can endure that before it develops a weakness and cracks. Cracked heat exchangers are one of the most common ways that old furnaces meet their end. However, a cracked heat exchanger also poses a safety risk to you and everyone in your home by allowing deadly carbon monoxide to escape into your home. Replacing your aging furnace before that can happen is always a smart move.

If your home needs a new furnace, Wellmann Heating & Air, Inc can help. We’ve served the residents of Lincoln since 1990, offering quality HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. Plus, we also offer geothermal, indoor air quality, and smart thermostat services, too. When the time comes for a furnace replacement for your Lincoln home, call Wellmann Heating & Air, Inc right away.