It’s Getting Colder — Is It Time to Consider a Heating Upgrade?

Did your heating system give you trouble last year? Were your heating bills too high? There's more than one reason to replace a new heating system. If you think, or outright know, you need a heating upgrade in your Arlington Heights area home, use these tips to help make the most of your home comfort investment.

Is It Time For a Heating Upgrade?

Unless you have a cracked heat exchanger or some other major failure, it’s not always easy to know when to get rid of the old workhorse and install a new furnace or boiler. Here are some clues:

• Age: Most furnaces and boilers past 15 years start to show signs of age.
• Bills: When heating efficiency does not improve after basic maintenance, you are essentially losing heating value until you upgrade to a new higher-efficiency heating system.
• Comfort: Is your system noisier and louder, but comfort has declined?
• Repair or replace: The decision whether to repair or replace an older heating system is a tough one. You don't want to spend the money on an older system, just to experience another breakdown in the near future. If the cost of the repair is half or greater than cost of a new heating system, go for the new unit.

Selecting a New Heating System

With the arrival of the fall season, your decision for a heating upgrade came at a good time. It's important to boost the efficiency of your home, heating and ductwork systems before freezing winter temperatures arrive, but it’s also vital to perform efficiency upgrades, or check the efficiency of your home, when installing new HVAC equipment.

Here's more heating upgrade tips:

• Energy audit: See if your home needs air sealing and more insulation by asking your HVAC professional about an energy audit. A completed audit also will show other areas where you can save energy in your home.
• Best practices: Make sure your HVAC professional uses Manuals J, S and D to calculate the home's heating load, correctly size the new heating system, and evaluate the ductwork.

For more information and answers regarding a heating upgrade for your Arlington Heights area home, please contact us at Tempco Heating & Air Conditioning.