Furnace and Water Heater “Failure Season” is Here
With shorter and colder days ahead, Michigan homeowners are entering the busiest time of year for furnace and water heater replacements. Data from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) shows that nationally, shipments of furnaces and water heaters surge between October and March, and Michigan’s harsh winters push that seasonality even further.
The reason is simple: older systems often fail when the heating load spikes. NOAA and the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) track heating degree days (HDDs). HDDs are a measure of how much heat homes need to stay comfortable. Michigan regularly logs 5,500–7,000 HDDs per year, among the highest in the Midwest. “That means furnaces and water heaters are under maximum stress from October through March, right when most homeowners end up replacing them,” says Derek Dalling, the Executive Director of the Michigan Propane Gas Association.
It’s Peak Season for Replacements
- Avoid midnight emergencies: You don’t want your furnace to fail when the temperatures drop. Replacing your system before winter hits ensures your family stays warm and comfortable, without worrying about a mid-season breakdown.
- Better scheduling and inventory: The best time to replace your outdated furnace is before the temperatures start dropping and households across Michigan begin turning their units on.
- Start saving right away: The earlier you install, the more you benefit from lower operating costs throughout the winter.
Rebates and incentives: Many Michigan utilities and the Michigan Propane Commission offer rebates to help offset the upfront costs of propane appliances. Learn more about rebates: Click Here!
How Propane Appliances Lower Your Carbon Footprint
Propane isn’t just reliable in cold weather; it also reduces emissions compared to other standard fuels.
- Lower carbon intensity than heating oil: According to emissions factors, propane releases fewer pounds of CO₂ per unit of energy.
- Efficiency advantage: Modern propane furnaces routinely operate at 95% efficiency or higher, meaning almost all of the fuel you buy is converted into usable heat.
- Cleaner than winter electricity mix: During peak heating months, Michigan’s electrical grid leans more on fossil generation. Running a propane furnace or water heater helps avoid the indirect emissions generated from power plants and Michigan’s electrical grid.
Future Ready: As renewable propane becomes more available, homeowners with propane appliances can further reduce emissions without replacing their equipment.
Why Buying Now is Smarter than Waiting
Michigan’s heating season officially began in October as measured by rising HDDs. AHRI’s shipment data confirms that this is when the market for furnaces and water heaters takes off. By acting before the first snowfall, you avoid the stress and premium costs of emergency replacement, ensure access to available rebates and incentives, and lower your home’s emissions footprint before winter even starts.
Michigan winters are long, and your home’s comfort depends on reliable equipment. Choosing propane this year sets you up for:
- Dependable comfort in the coldest months
- Lower emissions and reduced carbon footprint
- Energy savings from high-efficiency performance
Don’t wait for your system to fail in the middle of winter. Upgrading sooner rather than later is best — and propane is the smart fuel for Michigan homes.
See propane appliance rebates available in Michigan: Click Here!
To learn more about how propane is helping Michigan stay green and clean: Click here!
Author: Derek Dalling is the Executive Director of the Michigan Propane Gas Association. He is also the president of KDA, a firm that specializes in association management and lobbying. Energy, Healthcare, and Construction are some industries they serve. www.KDAfirm.com