Furnace Replacement in Des Peres, MO. As the winter weather starts, you might be thinking about replacing your furnace. Maybe it’s working, but your energy bills are skyrocketing; maybe you want to reduce your impact on the environment; or maybe your home just isn’t as comfortable in cold weather as it used to be.
Replacing your furnace is a big decision, no matter why you’re doing it, and you want to be well-informed before making that choice. There’s a lot to consider, and we’ll overview the most important components here, such as:
Whether your Des Peres, MO home needs a furnace replacement or repair to keep you warm, SmartHouse Heating and Cooling has got your back. We take a customer-first approach with every house we visit, and we always suggest what we believe will work best for your home. We’re available to contact 24/7 – if you have a question, get in touch today by calling 314-644-1570, texting us at 314-310-2242, or reaching out online.
There are several clues that your furnace needs a replacement, and you probably won’t be surprised by many. The truth is, if you think you need to replace it for any reason, you need to call a local Des Peres, MO HVAC contractor to inspect the furnace and give suggestions on what you should do next.
The most obvious sign is performance. If your furnace is not keeping your home adequately warmed, even when it is functioning properly, a replacement is probably needed.
Another common criterion is the age – the average lifespan of a well-maintained furnace is 15-20 years, and while some can last longer, they often require frequent repairs. Plus, older systems are often outside their warranty coverage, leaving you to shoulder the cost when something fails.
If you’re already replacing another part of your HVAC system, like extensive ductwork, replacing your failing furnace at the same time provides you with a new, paired, and more efficient system that is covered by a comprehensive warranty.
To recap, you should consider replacing your furnace if:
Often, you can repair an older furnace, but repairs often become expensive fast, especially with older systems outside of warranty coverage.
Repairs to existing furnaces can take some unexpected turns. The parts may be unavailable from the manufacturer, making them pricey. Plus, after the initial part is replaced, the technician may identify additional issues, needing further unexpected repairs.
If your older furnace seems like it always needs repairs — especially during the chilling Des Peres, MO winters — it’s likely time to consider replacement.
Upgrading your furnace improves performance and efficiency, helping you keep your bills down and decrease your environmental impact, while enhancing your comfort.
Upgrading also can allow for smart thermostats, zoning systems, and variable speed motors for smoother control, plus you can consider replacing your furnace with a heat pump for highly flexible heating and cooling in your home.
Your new furnace should also come with a new warranty, helping you avoid high expenses for repairs in the future.
SmartHouse offers both furnace repair and furnace replacement services in Des Peres, MO. Call us now at 314-370-1816, or reach out online to get started.
If you’ve decided to replace your furnace, but aren’t sure what to look for, here are a few characteristics to keep in mind: efficiency ratings, gas vs. electric furnaces, and motor speed(s).
For gas, oil, or propane furnaces that convert fuel into heat, energy efficiency is measured with the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) system. This is expressed as a percentage of how much fuel is converted to heat and how much is lost – an 80% rating means 80% of the fuel is converted to heat and 20% is lost. A higher rating means less fuel loss and in turn, less spent on fuel. AFUE is not used for electric furnaces because electric heating doesn’t burn fuel in the same way and has next to no heat loss.
Most traditional furnaces have a fuel source of either gas or electricity. Gas furnaces burn natural gas to create heat and rely on a natural gas connection and venting infrastructure. Gas furnaces with AFUE ratings of 90% or higher are classified as high-efficiency furnaces.
Electric furnaces use electricity to generate heat through resistance coils and may require an electrical upgrade, depending on your home’s setup. Because they don’t involve combustion, electric furnaces generally operate at or near 100% efficiency.
The number of motor speeds (AKA stages) your furnace has affects its ability to effectively warm your home:
Heat pumps combine heating and cooling into a single system, rather than needing separate systems for each. They work by moving existing heat into or out of your home, rather than making new heat through combustion.
Heat pumps operate in both boiling hot summers and freezing cold winters, a dichotomy that all Des Peres, MO residents have experienced firsthand. During winter, heat pumps transport heat into your home from outside, regardless of freezing weather. In the summer, the process is reversed as the heat pump absorbs the heat from inside your home and releases it outdoors.
Heat pumps present several edges over conventional systems, including:
The Daikin FIT heat pump features variable-speed inverter technology for efficient operations, unmatched control over temperature, superb dehumidification during Des Peres, MO’s steamy summers, and quiet operation.
Heat pumps can also work alongside a traditional gas furnace, in what’s called a “dual fuel system.” The heat pump handles the cooling and the majority of your heating needs, with the system automatically transferring to the gas furnace in icy conditions, ensuring a warm house no matter how far down temperatures go.
Right now, we’re seeing the best deal we’ve ever seen for high-efficiency HVAC systems, due to intersecting incentives that can offer you unprecedented savings:
In addition to Ameren’s rebates, you can take advantage of tax credits the federal government is offering for high-efficiency heating and cooling systems put in by December 31, 2025. These credits apply to high-efficiency central ACs, air source and ground source (geothermal) heat pumps, mini-split ACs or heat pumps, and smart thermostats (with installation).
Getting your new system installed right— fully code-compliant using industry best practices—means you’ll enjoy headache-free, energy-efficient comfort for years to come. That’s why working with the right technicians is critical for your new system.
At SmartHouse, we take care of everything – from finding the perfect system to fit your situation to expert installation and beyond! We’re here to make your experience smooth and stress-free, focusing on open, clear communication, friendly, expert service, and outcomes you can count on!
At SmartHouse, we’re here to help you stay warm, improve your comfort, and save on energy bills. When we get started on a project, our technicians ask, “What is the right thing to do?” before making any decisions. Let us bring that attitude to your home.
We also offer these services in Des Peres, MO:
