Furnaces don’t last forever, no matter how well built or even how little it runs during the year. The parts themselves, the plastic and metal components, get older and less reliable over time until it is time to replace your furnace. Fortunately, there are also steps you can take to ensure that your furnace lasts as long as it possibly can. 

With proper care and a little attention, you won’t have to replace your furnace until near the end of its predicted lifespan. How do you know when it is time to replace your furnace? Join us as we look at the facts regarding the lifespan of your heating system.

The Average Furnace Lifespan

Furnaces, on average, last around 15 years, which is the time it takes for the parts inside your furnace to get old and wear out. After 15 years, your furnace may already be showing signs of poor performance and can become unreliable. 

The last thing you want is for your furnace to go out or to stop keeping up with your need for heat in the middle of winter. Scheduling your furnace replacement on time is key to ensuring your family’s warmth and safety each year.

Factors that Reduce Furnace Life Expectancy

Furnaces are essential to maintaining a comfortable home during the colder months, but like any mechanical device, they have a limited lifespan. Several factors can contribute to early furnace replacement, including:

• Furnace Size: Furnace size matters because it directly affects the performance and efficiency of the heating system. A furnace too small for its house will struggle to heat the entire house, leading to uneven temperatures and higher energy bills. On the other hand, a furnace that is too large will consume more energy and cost more to operate. A properly sized furnace results in better energy efficiency, improved comfort, and lower energy bills.
• Poor Furnace Installation: The quality of your furnace installation also makes a big difference. A furnace that is properly connected to a well-installed duct system and filtration system, and with strong blower fans, will provide heat more efficiently to the house and need to work less hard to do it. Poor drainage lines or an incorrect fuel supply can also damage your furnace – and possibly your home – causing the need for a replacement far sooner than your furnace’s natural lifespan.
• Lack of Routine Maintenance: Like any appliance – especially one that runs day and night during the winter – your furnace needs routine maintenance. Regular HVAC inspections, cleanings, and tune-ups can help to prevent long-term damage to your furnace that could cause an early replacement. Setting up an AC tune-up routine with your favorite HVAC crew can keep your air conditioner and furnace in top shape – and prevent furnace-damaging issues – with one to four visits a year.
• Thermostat Settings: Avoid over-setting your thermostat. Setting your heater to extreme heat will cause it to overwork and burn out much faster than a furnace should in your home based on seasonal temperatures. Setting your furnace too high or too low can be damaging. It is best to keep your house heated between 60 and 80 degrees.

How Will I Know if It’s Time to Replace My Furnace?

Your furnace will let you know —one way or another— when it is time to schedule a furnace replacement. If your furnace can’t keep up with the heat your family needs in the winter, if it power cycles often or won’t come on, these are clear signs that the furnace is no longer functioning optimally.

If your furnace requires frequent repairs or you notice alarming smells or sounds when you turn on your furnace, this can be a sign that your furnace will need to be replaced soon. One of the most important signs to replace your furnace is if your power bills go up every winter, indicating your furnace is less efficient each year.

How to Extend Furnace Lifespan?

The best way to ensure your furnace stays functional for the longest time is to schedule routine HVAC maintenance tune-ups for your entire AC/Heating setup. Superstition Cooling can keep your AC and furnace in top condition with routine inspections, cleanings, tune-ups, and preventative repairs to ensure your system runs at optimal efficiency for the longest possible lifespan.

A regularly cleaned furnace with efficient ductwork and the occasional tune-up can last several years longer than is standard, and you can even counteract a few lifespan-shortening problems with a little extra attention paid to your furnace from here on out. Superstition Cooling is proud to provide reliable HVAC maintenance tune-ups to Apache Junction residents throughout the Phoenix East Valley.

Professional Air Conditioning Installation, Repair, & Maintenance Services in Apache Junction

Furnaces play a vital role in maintaining the comfort of your home during the colder months. At Superstition Cooling, we are dedicated to providing professional air conditioning installation, repair, and maintenance services in Apache Junction. 

Our team of experienced HVAC technicians is trained to work with a wide variety of equipment, and we offer warranties for all of our work. Don’t let a faulty furnace ruin your winter. Contact us today to schedule your furnace service in Apache Junction and ensure your home stays warm and comfortable all season long. 

Image Credit / Shutterstock / Charles Knowles 

Every appliance has a lifecycle, no matter how essential it is to your home. The same is true of your furnace. Most modern homes are built with an electric or gas furnace to keep the house warm during winter. Some regions use their furnace only one month out of the year, some for more than five months, but all furnaces have a lifespan.

How do you know when to replace a furnace, and how long should your furnace last? At Superstition Cooling, we want you to have all the answers when you need them, so let’s dive into the lifespan of your average furnace and the right time to schedule a furnace replacement if your furnace has started to show signs of failure.

How Long Does a Furnace Last?

Furnaces are designed to last about 15 years. Your average furnace will last about this time, but some go out sooner, and some run far longer than they should. If you live in a cold-weather climate where the furnace runs for many months during the year, you may need a furnace repair sooner. In a warm-weather climate with a particularly high-quality furnace, you may see one keep functioning for 20+ years — but not without issues!

If your furnace is reaching that age or has passed its expiration date, it may be time to schedule a furnace replacement. Of course, this timing isn’t arbitrary, like the “sell by” date on dry goods. There are some very clear signs when your furnace’s time has come.

7 Signs You Need a New Furnace

How do you know when it’s time to replace your furnace? Most of the time, your furnace will let you know.

• Your Furnace is More Than 15 Years Old: The first sign is your furnace’s age. If the furnace is as old as your house and over 15 years old, there is a good chance that a furnace replacement will be in your future. You may also be able to check the dates on the furnace maintenance record or look up the serial number if you are not sure.
• Your Energy Bills Have Gone Up: When an HVAC appliance like your furnace gets old, it becomes less efficient. That means more electricity for less heat over time, so check your utility bill. If your power bills are going up, and your usage is also going up every winter, chances are that your old furnace is taking more than its fair share of the power bill, and a new furnace would start paying itself off immediately in savings.
• Frequent (Yearly+) Furnace Repairs: The same is true if your furnace needs to be repaired once a year or even more frequently. Repeated repairs indicate that the parts inside your furnace are wearing out quickly and at the same time.
• Your Home Isn’t Warm Enough: If your furnace can’t keep up with heating demands after you have cleaned the filter and had a maintenance service, the furnace is no longer able. A furnace that can’t heat your home must be replaced before it goes out at the worst possible time.
• It’s Abnormally Dusty in Your Home: A failing furnace may also eject a lot more dust into your home. Furnaces release soot or other types of dust as the parts fail.
• Strange Smells, Sounds, or Behavior: Trust your senses to tell you when something is wrong with your furnace. Have you smelt unusual scorchy or moldy smells when the furnace turns on? Do you hear clanging, banking, or the sound of a machine struggling to keep up? Do you see lights flicker when the furnace starts up or other signs that something is wrong? Call for repairs. But if your furnace is old, plan for a replacement. If you smell burning – especially the smell of hot metal or plastic – turn off your furnace and call a pro immediately.
• Your Furnace Isn’t Cycling Properly: Power cycling is always a bad sign for a furnace. If your furnace switches on and off all the time, won’t switch on, or won’t switch off, this can be a sign that the electrical system is going. When there are power issues, plan for a furnace replacement before a disaster occurs.

Professional Air Conditioning Installation, Repair, & Maintenance Services in Apache Junction

Does your Apache Junction home need a new furnace? Don’t worry. We are prepared to help you out. Here at Superstition Cooling, we know that even AZ furnaces don’t last forever. 

If your furnace is costing you money, making strange sounds or smells, or leaving your household vulnerable to cold temperatures during the winter. Contact us today for an estimate. Let Superstition Cooling assist you in selecting the appropriate furnace and arranging a suitable time for your furnace replacement and installation.

Image Credit / Shutterstock / Dmitry Naumov

Spring or fall is the best time to do some HVAC maintenance. Regular maintenance ensures your HVAC system is fully functional. The easiest way to maintain your HVAC system is to change or clean your air conditioning filters every two to three months. Homeowners can easily clean their HVAC filters or seek professional help for guaranteed quality services.

So how do you clean your AC filter? Look no further than Superstition Cooling! Superstition Cooling is the best HVAC company in Apache Junction that takes great pride in offering various high-quality services. We also educate our clients on HVAC systems, especially how to clean a dirty HVAC filter.

Why Do Air Filters Matter?

Air filters in your home’s HVAC system are essential as they protect the system from dust and debris that might hinder effective functioning. It also removes harmful contaminants such as dirt, dust, viruses, pollen, pet dander, and bacteria in the air, preventing them from circulating throughout your home.

Air filters are vital for everyone, especially those living in highly polluted areas and those suffering from respiratory diseases like asthma. Since HVAC systems are essential, homeowners can improve their performance and extend their lifespan by simply cleaning the AC filters.

What Are the Different Kinds of Air Filters?

It is important to ensure that you are using the right type of filter, clean when dirty, and change or make the necessary maintenance when necessary. Here are some of the different kinds of filters available for your residential HVAC system:

• Fiberglass Air Filters

These are disposable and the least expensive filters. Fiberglass filters are mainly designed to protect your HVAC system by causing less strain when drawing in air and keeping large particles out of your system. However, they are not great at keeping out dust and other small contaminant particles, thus making them inappropriate for use by people with allergies and other respiratory problems.

• Pleated Air Filters

These air filters are made from polyester folds or cotton. They are slightly more expensive than a fiberglass air filter and more effective in filtering dust and other pollutants due to their large surface area. In addition, pleated air filters with more pleats provide better filtering than those with fewer pleats.

• High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters

These filters are great and exceptional at screening out airborne allergens and pollutants, making them ideal for people suffering from respiratory issues.

• UV Filters

UV filters are built into the HVAC system and use short-wave ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the air that pass through them. UV filters are great when you have concerns about indoor air quality but are not as efficient at removing pollutants like dust.

• Electrostatic Filters

These AC filters use the electrostatic charge from small cotton and paper fibers to attract dust and other airborne particles. Electrostatic filters are available as disposables and reusable.

• Washable Filters

Even though washable filters are expensive, they are an environmentally friendly way to save money. You can remove them, clean them, and reuse them repeatedly instead of buying new ones after every few months.

How to Clean Your HVAC Filters?

Indoor air quality is important for every homeowner in Arizona. Having proper and clean HVAC filters makes a huge difference between polluted air and clean air that is healthy to breathe. How to clean AC filters in your home is a common question among homeowners in Apache Junction that can be resolved through the following simple steps:

1. Turn off your HVAC unit.
2. Check the service panel on your unit to find and remove the filter. Some systems have multiple filters, so ensure to check the vents.
3. Place the filter on the ground facing up and vacuum the dust and debris.
4. If your AC filter has grime buildup, it needs a thorough cleaning. Fill your sink with warm water and vinegar, soak your filter for an hour and then rinse them clean. You can also use your hands or a soft brush to rub away the remaining debris but avoid using any pressurized settings as it could damage your filter.
5. Let the filter dry completely before reinserting them to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the filter.

Professional Air Conditioning, Installation, Repair, and Maintenance, Services in Apache Junction

Are you a homeowner and still wondering how to clean AC filters? Worry no more! Superstition Cooling has highly trained staff who offer HVAC unit installation, repair, and maintenance services quickly and correctly.

We are a family-owned HVAC company offering homeowners everything they need to keep their HVAC filters in top condition and their homes’ internal temperatures stable. Contact us for air conditioner filter maintenance and tune-up services in Apache Junction.

Image Credit To The Toidi & grandbrothers

Are the furnace and AC the same? Most homeowners need more awareness of how a furnace works with an AC. Most people are often surprised to learn that their cooling and heating systems are connected. Your HVAC system is responsible for ventilation, heating, and air conditioning, making it have many components working collaboratively to provide your home with optimal comfort.

Are you wondering whether your AC and furnace are the same, or want to know how they interact? Look no further than Superstitions Cooling! Superstitions Cooling provides great insights into HVAC systems, including whether your furnace and AC are the same.

How Does Your Furnace Work?

Home furnaces differ in the energy they consume, such as gas, electricity, and oil, which affects how they produce heat. But once a furnace warms the air, it is distributed the same way regardless of the energy type. So how does your furnace work in your home? Here are a few steps:

1. When the temperature drops below the thermostat setting for heat, two signals are sent by the thermostat: one to the furnace to begin a heating cycle, while the other is sent to the blower motor to activate the HVAC fan.
2. The furnace’s heating elements receive the signal and activate. In oil and gas furnaces, their fuel is released through valves to produce open flames, while in the electric furnace, electricity powers heating elements in the electric space heaters.
3. Heat is then transferred to the air. In gas and oil furnaces, this occurs when the flames heat the heat exchanger component that warms the air around it, while in the electric furnace, heat is transferred by exposing the heating elements to open air.
4. The HVAC fan and the blower motor push the warm air through the ducts and vents, warming your home.
5. The thermostat then detects when the indoor temperatures reach the desired levels and send signals to turn off the furnace and the blower motor.

How Does Your AC Work?

Your home air conditioner works the same way as your furnace. However, instead of taking air from outside and heating it, the air conditioner cools the air down and distributes it throughout your home via ducts reducing the temperatures. Your AC works through the following process:

1. The warm air is first drawn into the HVAC system.
2. This air then flows over the cold evaporator pipes inside, cooling the air down, and the dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air.
3. The coolant flowing through the chiller pipes absorbs the heat from the air blowing past it and evaporates it, turning it from a cool liquid to a warm gas.
4. The warm gas is pumped outside while the coolant flows through the compressor unit and a condenser which turns it back into a cool liquid.
5. Cold air is then recirculated into the room, mixing with the existing air and reducing the home’s temperatures.

How Does My AC Unit Work with My Furnace?

Understanding how a furnace works with an AC can be slightly confusing for homeowners in East Valley. Your furnace and air conditioner are stand-alone components of your HVAC system, which function independently to ensure heating and air conditioning. However, they are connected using the same infrastructure, like ducts and vents, to circulate air throughout your home.

Comfort Systems Rely On Each Other for Best Performance

Does a furnace need to be on for the AC to work and vice versa? Your air conditioner and furnace are essential and interconnected components of your HVAC system. As a result, your comfort systems rely on each other for the best performance. Your air conditioner and furnace are dependent on each other in various ways, such as:

• Both AC and furnace use the same thermostat to activate and shut down.
• The AC and the furnace use the same blower to spread cool and warm air throughout your home.
• The AC evaporator coil’s work is to transfer excess heat and moisture from inside your house to outside and might freeze up when there is a problem with the HVAC system.
• The furnace and the AC unit work together to clean and condition the air before recirculating it throughout the house.

Since your home’s cooling and heating system are encompassed in the HVAC system, you should maintain your HVAC system. Damage to one component might damage other parts of the system.

Professional Air Conditioning Installation, Repair & Maintenance Services in Apache Junction

Are you looking for professional HVAC system maintenance and tune-up services in Apache Junction?

Superstitions Cooling is the best HVAC company with professional staff to offer you excellent HVAC system services quickly. Contact us for an estimate for all your HVAC system maintenance and tune-up needs.

 

Arizona is well-known for its brutal sunlight, which radiates into beautiful days and balmy summer evenings. More so, winters can be equally chilly with extreme temperatures that can be draining. Whether you live in the warmest regions of Phoenix or somewhere with cooler temperatures, heaters are critical for every house. The last thing you need before the holidays is the stress of miserable temperatures due to a faulty heater or HVAC system.

Holidays are the most beautiful seasons of the year. Again, people offer thanks during this time, reconnect with loved ones, and celebrate. In that regard, there’s little to no time for various housework activities such as HVAC repairs. Nothing, not even minor annoyances like slow heaters, should interfere with your holidays, so you must undertake routine heater maintenance and repairs before the holidays kick start.

Superstition Cooling professionals are here to immediately handle all the repairs, whether your heater has decided to jam on you early in the morning, at night, or midday in the scorching sun. If you’re looking for heater repair in the Phoenix East Valley, learn more with Superstition Cooling here.

4 Reasons to Schedule HVAC Repair and Maintenance Before the Holidays

Don’t worry too much about whether your heater needs to be replaced or repaired. We are ready to assist you, no matter what your needs are. You don’t want to start dealing with a cooling or heater catastrophe when you need it most. We have created a list of reasons why you need to schedule your HVAC repair and maintenance with Superstition Cooling before the holiday.

Ensure Heater & HVAC Efficiency

Your heating system will develop minor problems over time, and regular use could reduce its effectiveness. Your heater professional will detect and fix these problems during routine maintenance visits, including cleaning your heating system, lubricating any moving parts that require it, and replacing any broken or worn-out components.

Prevent Significant HVAC Issues & Problems

The most straightforward strategy to avoid HVAC emergencies always has a maintenance management plan. Regular heating system inspections allow a qualified heating professional to see minor issues before they become more serious, pricey ones. Plan to have your HVAC systems inspected and fixed before important events so that you can relax knowing that your unit won’t break down when your friends arrive and the celebrations start.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

An HVAC system affects more than just the temperature of your home. If your fan is set to “on,” it will continue to run even if your HVAC system is not currently heating or cooling your home. The air will circulate more often as a result which might assist in keeping your house at a comfortable temperature. Heat repair in Phoenix is significant because it covers this.

However, if your filter isn’t effectively removing hazardous particles from the air, more air movement could not be a good thing. Most air filters can capture larger airborne debris, but some are less effective at capturing smaller particles like pet hair and pollen, which is why maintenance and repair procedures are required.

During a furnace tune-up, an HVAC expert should remove any dust or debris from your furnace cabinet. An HVAC expert should also inspect your condenser, compressor, and evaporator coil, all of which work to remove moisture in the air inside your home. It’s essential to look out for mold and bacterial growth on air conditioners and heat pumps, even though both systems include condensate drains. The expert should also evaluate your blower fan.

Gain Peace of Mind

Routine maintenance will ease your mind year-round, ensuring your heater won’t start functioning poorly, using more energy in the process, and causing a rise in your heating expenditures by 5% yearly. That suggests you won’t have to start paying 25% extra after just a few years.

Maintenance helps you to benefit from a more convenient and dependable performance from the heater while saving money on repairs because it prevents more than half of the repairs that a heating system might otherwise need. Besides having a humble time over the holidays, HVAC repairs will ensure that you aren’t wondering what happens if your air conditioner decides to fail.

Professional Heater & HVAC Repair & Maintenance in Apache Junction

Are you looking for Heater Repair in the Phoenix valley? Prepare your heater unit for the winter holidays in Phoenix, AZ, with the help of Superstition Cooling. We focus on guiding homeowners, like you, in deciding what the ideal heating equipment for your specific home is. Also, beyond HVAC repairs, we offer a broad spectrum of services with AC repairs, gas heaters, and air conditioner tune-ups. Contact the experts at Superstition Cooling to request an estimate.

 

Image credit: J.J. Gouin / Shutterstock

Preparing your HVAC for winter ensures your home stays warm in the cold season. While you want the air conditioner to keep working throughout, it is essential to understand that the unit may develop issues that require repair before the holidays. If you notice your HVAC is not running efficiently, it is best to look for help from a furnace repair Phoenix professional to inspect the AC and repair it accordingly.

Signs You Need HVAC Repair Before the Holidays

An HVAC can become inefficient for various reasons and may break down unexpectedly. It is essential to check out for signs that require repair to get the unit fixed before the holiday. Here are the common signs.

The Pilot Light Isn’t a Steady Blue

If you notice a blue-burning pilot light from your gas furnace, there is a steady natural gas supply. But if the flame color changes to red, green, or yellow, there is an issue. Chances are that grime, oil, dirt, excessive air, or dust entered the gas and burned along with the methane.

These elements can create harmful chemicals when they burn. It is essential to have the issue fixed because living it can affect gas flow. Consider calling a furnace repair Phoenix technician to inspect the unit and repair it accordingly.

You Can See or Feel Excess Moisture

Does your unit look like it is sweating when running? It could mean that the air conditioner has a problem. Condensation occurs due to insufficient insulation or damaged insulation. When this happens, you will see excess moisture on the doors, windows, or tile flooring.

Increased moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can be a health hazard to your family. Excess condensation requires emergency repair. It’d be best to look for a furnace repair Phoenix, AZ, technician to fix the issue and prevent more damage that could lead to a total breakdown of your unit.

You Are Constantly Adjusting the Thermostat

Adjusting the thermostat temperature settings causes unnecessary wear and tear to your thermostat and the entire HVAC unit. The unit works hard to meet your desired temperatures, leading to wasted energy and high energy bills. It could also cause the unit to break down earlier than it should. Speak to an experienced furnace repair Phoenix contractor to fix the issue and avoid costly repairs or a replacement in the long run.

Inconsistent Hot & Cold Spots in Your Home

Uneven temperatures are a common occurrence in homes, and this happens due to closed air vents, air duct leaks, and poorly installed thermostats, among other reasons. At the same time, it can be difficult to determine the underlying problem causing uneven distribution of heat or cold in your home. If you feel random cold and hot spots in your home, it’d be best to call an HVAC contractor to examine the unit and fix the issue, providing a long-term solution.

The Furnace or HVAC Equipment Is Old

Every furnace has a lifespan as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. However, if most of these components are not working efficiently, you should consider replacing the entire unit with a new one even before the lifespan. If you continue using the unit, it may break down unexpectedly and when needed most, especially in winter.

It is important to note that HVAC installation requires an experienced technician. If you plan to replace your old unit, speak to a furnace installation in Phoenix, AZ, a technician for proper installation to keep your AC efficient.

Maintain Your Heating System to Prevent HVAC Failure during the Holidays

For your HVAC to stay functional, efficient, and ready for the holidays, it is important to have proper maintenance. Ensuring proper maintenance is an essential consideration that will not only keep your house warm in the cold season but will also prolong the life of your unit and prevent high energy consumption that could lead to increased energy bills. Poorly maintained furnaces are also a potential fire hazard. Consider scheduled maintenance to keep the unit running efficiently.

Superstition Cooling is an experienced HVAC contractor in Phoenix East Valley, serving homeowners within the Apache junction. Our experienced technicians have the skills required to make your air conditioner efficient and cool and heat your home. We’ve served different homes within the area, ensuring efficient furnaces in all seasons. You can rest assured that Superstition Cooling can solve all the problems with your furnace.

Professional Furnace Repair & Tune-Ups in Apache Junction

If you notice any unusual signs in your HVAC and doubt it will serve you during the holidays, it’d be best to contact a furnace repair Phoenix professional to fix the system or replace it.

Superstition Cooling has all it takes to fix or replace your AC based on the underlying issues. We strive to exceed your expectations and give you value for your money. Whether you need HVAC repairs, replacement, installation, or maintenance to prepare for the winter holidays in Apache Junction Phoenix East Valley, we can help. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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