Furnace Repair VS Replacement
The U.S. Department of Energy states that the average lifespan of a residential furnace is between 15 to 30 years. If your heating system falls into this range, then it may be time to think about replacement options.
The summer season is slowly coming to an end. That means it’s only a matter of time before you switch your home’s thermostat from “COOL” to “HEAT.” If you’re like many homeowners, you’re already dreading the change since this tends to be the time of year when energy bills climb. Not only are you not looking forward to having to dig deeper in your pocket to keep your family comfortable, but if you have an aging heating system, you may also be worried that this could be the year when it breaks down and needs a big repair — or even a replacement.
Read on to learn more about what to consider when determining what may be best for your family’s situation.
Age of your furnace
The U.S. Department of Energy states that the average lifespan of a residential furnace is between 15 to 30 years. If your heating system falls into this range, then it may be time to think about replacement options. The truth of the matter is that an aging furnace just can’t run as efficiently as it once did, and it won’t operate nearly as well as newer models available. You could waste a lot of money each month on your energy bills by keeping your outdated heater running.
The age of your unit, however, isn’t the only thing that you should consider for this type of buying decision. Make note of recent repairs needed for the system. If it seemed like your furnace was breaking down at least once a month during the last heating season, it may be in your family’s best interest to consider a new unit. It’ll run more efficiently, won’t break down as often and will be capable of keeping your family warm and toasty all season long.
Replacement is a must if unit is not safe
If your furnace is no longer operating safely, then it’s a no-brainer that it’s time for a new unit. If a technician has discovered that your unit has a cracked combustion chamber, it’s only a matter of time before dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) gas begins to leak out. This gas is known as a “silent killer” as it is odorless, colorless and tasteless, but can be deadly for you and your loved ones. This is one reason – alone – to have a licensed technician check your furnace at least once per year.
If you suspect a CO leak and notice that you and those you live with are experiencing any of the following medical problems, leave your home immediately and call 911: headaches, nausea, confusion, severe fatigue, or flu-like symptoms.
Additionally, if your furnace operates on electricity and has severely damaged and frayed wiring, that’s also an indicator that it’s time to invest in a new heating system.
Repair frequency
If your furnace is older and seemed to break down frequently during the last heating season, now is a good time to consider purchasing a replacement unit. While you may be concerned that a new system just isn’t in your family’s budget, neither is covering constant repairs. Not just that, but a new furnace can sometimes practically pay for itself when it comes to your energy savings, as new models operate more efficiently.
However, if your unit isn’t that old but you noticed during the last heating season that it wasn’t running as well as you thought it should, then replacement may not be the best option for you. Instead, have a seasoned heating professional inspect the unit to determine if there’s a problem that can easily repaired— without having to shell out money for an entirely new unit.
Bonus tip!
It’s critical that you schedule an annual inspection of your heating system. During this tune-up appointment, an experienced pro will carefully and thoroughly clean and check all components in your unit to ensure things are operating as expected. If there’s a potential problem, it can be caught early — before it results in a breakdown of your system.