Nothing lasts forever. Most furnaces last around 10 to 20 years before needing to be replaced because of mechanical failure.
However, there are a few other reasons besides malfunction or age to replace your furnace. While your furnace may not be old, it may need replacing. An older furnace, even if it hasn’t hit the end of its lifespan, could be costing you money and could also be interfering with your comfort as well as creating an unsafe environment.
Why Upgrade Your Furnace
Regular maintenance of your entire HVAC system is recommended annually to ensure it continues running at peak efficiency. Most system checks will alert you the need to replace worn parts before they cause a bigger problem and will let you know if your furnace is still operating safely.
However, while maintenance does prolong the life of your furnace, there are a few reasons you may want to consider replacing the unit before it becomes unsafe or finally stops operating.
1. Lower Monthly Utility Bills
Older furnaces, no matter how well-cared for they are, will lose efficiency over time. The AFUE, annual fuel utilization efficiency, minimum for combustion furnaces is 80%, which means that 20% of the fuel a furnace using 80% AFUE is wasted. New systems have an AFUE rating of 95% to 99%, which means they waste close to none of the fuel burned for home heating.
The less fuel needed to heat your home, the lower your monthly heating bills will be, additionally your furnace will run less often, which also reduces fuel consumption.
2. Dodge Frequent (Costly) Repairs
Even with regular maintenance older furnaces typically require additional upkeep and repairs. Constant repairs signal your unit is not functioning as it should and can cost you a lot more money overall. If your furnace is not delivering reliable service it may be a good reason to upgrade your unit with a new, functional system. Saving money and the headache of emergency repairs.
3. Increase Home Comfort
If you find that certain rooms in your home are not as warm as other areas in your home, or your unit seems to run constantly it may mean your system is no longer efficiently heating or cooling your home. A new furnace will ensure heating (cooling) consistently throughout your home, keeping you comfortable.
4. Safety First
Older furnaces can cause problems beyond high heating bills. Older systems can leak, which can result in carbon monoxide build-up. Replacing an older unit with a new unit is a safety issue as well.
Get a System Check
If you aren’t sure whether to replace your unit or if you would like to know if your system needs an upgrade give the professionals at TR Miller Heating and Cooling a call. We have free estimates and we can help determine what you need to save money, keep comfortable, and stay safe!
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Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.
TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.
Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.
That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.
Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.
That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.
Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.
Credentials & Affiliations:
- President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
- Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
- Board Member, Nexstar Network
- Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
- Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
- Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
