It may feel strange to think about your furnace during a heat wave but it’s actually a great time to assess your winter preparedness. Ordering and scheduling early is important due to supply chain issues from COVID-19. If you’ve got heat on your mind – staying warm this winter, that is – you’re probably wondering how much a new furnace will set you back. What should you expect to spend on a new furnace in the Portland, Oregon area? 

You likely have a hunch if your furnace is near the end of its life but what are the signs? First of all, if your furnace is over 15 years old, then it likely won’t last much longer. The average, well-maintained furnace lasts for 15-20 years so an older furnace isn’t worth repairing.

Secondly, if it’s over ten years old and is experiencing any of the signs listed below, then you should consider replacing it. The rule of thumb that HVAC professionals adhere to is that a furnace should be replaced if it has surpassed three-quarters of its expected lifespan and/or if the expected repairs cost more than a third of the replacement cost. Plus, there are a few additional items you should consider before deciding to replace your furnace.

Typical signs that a furnace needs to be replaced include:

• Unusually high utility bills
• Uneven or inconsistent heating
• Unusually loud sounds, like buzzing, rattling, or humming
• Excessive dirt and debris on surfaces
• Frequent repairs
• Rapid on/off cycles

If you’ve been struggling with an old furnace, you’ll love having a new system that reliably and comfortably heats your home. You won’t have to worry about your home being warm enough and you won’t have to deal with cold spots or inconsistent heating. Plus, a new furnace will be much more energy-efficient than your old model so you’ll enjoy lower utility bills. Depending on your model, you may experience the benefits of smart technology, such as predetermined settings and conditions that make it easy ensure to your home is always comfortable and always energy efficient.   

If you’re replacing your furnace, it might be a good time to consider if you want to install a different type of system. In the Pacific Northwest, homes typically use natural gas furnaces or electric furnaces. Oil and propane furnaces are also used but not as commonly. You may even want to consider a heat pump or ductless mini-split system, both of which can heat and cool.  

There are pros and cons to all furnace systems which is why Comfort Heating & Cooling will carefully assess your home, needs, and budget in order to find the most reliable, efficient and cost-effective options. By looking at furnace’s efficiency rating, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), you can find a furnace that has the right level of efficiency for your home. Our HVAC experts will help you weigh the potential energy savings of a higher efficiency (and more expensive) model versus the higher utility bills that you’ll get with a less expensive and less efficient model. 

Often, homeowners want the same type of furnace used previously. Not worrying about changing from electric to gas, for example, saves time, money, and headaches. However, no matter what you decide, first answer the following questions about your potential new furnace.  

• What’s the upfront cost for the furnace/installation?
• How durability is the furnace and what will maintenance costs look like?
• What’s the heat output (measured in BTUs)?
• What’s the energy efficiency?
• Will your energy bills be drastically lowered?

There are multiple considerations that affect the cost of a furnace. The first factor is the type of furnace purchased. Nationally, homeowners on average pay more for gas furnaces and less for electric furnaces. Ductless mini-split heat pumps may be a costlier upfront option – don’t forget they both heat and cool! – but prices vary depending on the number of indoor units needed.  

Secondly, other considerations depend on the brand you choose, how complicated the installation is, and the unit’s efficiency rating. Beyond the cost of the furnace and its installation, pricing factors include: 

• The size of the home
• The number of levels
• Window orientation
• Location of furnace
• Efficiency
• How many residents are in the home and what kind of comfort they need

Here at Comfort Heating & Cooling, we take pride in offering affordable specials to our valued customers. We currently have two great specials running!  

Special #1: Receive a free Ruud Achiever Series Single Stage Air Conditioner with purchase of a Ruud Ultra Series Variable Speed Multi-Position Gas Furnace. Purchase by 9/30/20! 

Special #2: Receive a free electric furnace with purchase of an Econet® Enabled Ruud Heat Pump 

Learn more about our HVAC specials. 

Plus, we offer 0% financing for new furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. Don’t dip into your savings just to improve your home’s comfort! With as little as $100 a month, you can enjoy a new heating and cooling system. Enjoy competitive interest rates and a fast application process, as well as monthly payment options and zero penalties for early payment. Additionally, you may qualify for tax credits and cash incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon, in addition to utility bill savings!  

Contact Comfort Heating and Cooling today at 503-679-9276 or contact us online.