Getting your furnace repaired might not be the most glamorous job, but it’s important to take care of it before the cold weather hits. If you live in King County there’s a high likelihood that you have a furnace in your home; particularly an older one, as Seattle houses many beautiful, historic homes. Furnaces can sometimes have a lifespan of up to 40 years with proper maintenance, although most give out before 30. Whether you’re in need of some maintenance for your young furnace or inching closer to that replacement date, we’ll help you out!

Understanding Your Furnace’s Life

There are furnaces that run on electricity, propane, natural gas, and heating oil. Depending on the type of furnace you have, your furnace’s lifespan and needs may vary. Your furnace’s life began during installation. Improper sizing or bad installation cause performance issues which overtax your furnace, making it work harder, less efficiently, and ultimately reduce its life expectancy. Also, no matter how well of a job the installation team did, the older your furnace is, the more repairs it’ll need and the worse it will perform. Signs that your furnace is nearing its end include poorer air quality, varying temperatures throughout the house, and unexpected increase in energy consumption. 

Keeping Your Furnace Alive for Longer

Furnaces are expensive! The average cost to replace a furnace is about $3,817, up to over $6,000. That’s quite the ticket! But furnaces are a necessary component of your home; especially during the winter. If you’re not ready to dish out that investment just yet, and your furnace still has some life in it, proper maintenance can help you keep your furnace alive for longer. Start by cleaning your furnace. Just like computers, cars, and people, keeping your furnace clean will keep it functioning its best. We recommend an annual cleaning once per year. You can do this yourself, or we can do it for you! Speaking of a clean furnace, when’s the last time you changed the filter? Replacing the filter helps warm air get circulated throughout the house, taxing the furnace less. Finally, make sure your home is doing its part, too. Keep the vents free, use gentle fans to help circulate air and reduce the heating load, and make sure your blower is working properly. 

Choosing a Replacement

When your well cared for furnace inevitably gives out, you’ll need to choose a replacement and have it installed. We recommend Trane and Lennox furnaces! Different homes have different needs, and  we can consult with you to choose the right heating system for your home. Once you’ve chosen a furnace you’ll need to have it installed. We’re happy to help with this, too!

Getting your furnace inspected and repaired or replaced before the weather gets cold will keep you and your family safe and comfortable this year, and for years to come. Remember that your home’s heating system is an investment that will not only provide comfort now, but will also be a deciding factor in your energy use and home’s value. Check out our current promotions to get started, or call us with any questions! We’re happy to be your choice in King County for HVAC support.