Furnace savings can be worthwhile
Inefficient and aging home heating systems can lead to a myriad of problems and, with winter quickly approaching, can also lead to skyrocketing utility bills.
Rocco Florio, owner of Air Pro Heating and Cooling in Butler, knows a thing or two about the tell-tale signs that a home heating system needs to be replaced or if it's not emitting enough heat.
His company installs an estimated 2,000 new furnaces each year in a five-county area, the largest heating and cooling company in the region.
He said the average life-span of a modern furnace is about 20 years, but failure to maintain and clean the machine could result in a much shorter lifespan.
"As time goes on, carbon builds up if it's not serviced, dirt builds up," Florio said. "The biggest problem is that people forget to change the furnace's filter. If they don't do that, the heat will kick out because there's no air movement."
Florio said homeowners should change the filters at least every six months, or once every month for older furnaces.
But what are the signs that you need a new home heating system? Florio said look for black marks around the register and deterioration of the heat exchanger. The most important aspect, however, is the age of the furnace. Any machine approaching 25 years of life is probably in serious need of replacement.
Installing a new furnace can drastically cut down on utility bills. Some older furnaces, Florio said, have about a 60 percent efficiency rating, while all new furnaces have at least a 95 percent efficiency rating.
Homeowners should also check their carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year, especially if the heating system is more than 10 years old. Older systems have a higher probability of emitting harmful gases, furthering the need to replace older and inefficient furnaces.
Florio said his company has such buying power that it can install a new furnace for about $2,000. That figure can be reduced also by tax credits and rebates which could make the final price less than $1,500.
He said he also comes across many heating systems that would be cheaper to replace all together than to repair. Regardless, he said, it's important to recognize the need to replace an old and inefficient heating system, a move that could save hundreds of dollars each year in utility bills.
