Furnaces are all-too-often the unsung hero of the modern home.
Winter after winter, they faithfully pump out heat during the coldest months of the year, ceaselessly keeping us warm, safe and cozy.
And even though they’re made to last a long time, on a long enough timeline, eventually the time comes when we have to decide whether to replace our home heating equipment, or make repairs hoping it will give us a few more years of faithful service.
If you own a home and are facing this often complex decision (maybe your heating bills are getting too high or your system hasn’t been running as good as it used to), you’ve stumbled on the right article. In fact, we encourage you to relax, take a deep breath, and let us help you out from here.
For starters, our expert technicians here at Springfield Heating & Cooling present the following to help guide you through this process.
Should I replace my furnace, or wait and make repairs?
Although there is no magic crystal ball or ingenious formula to tell us exactly when we should replace a questionable furnace, the following factors are what almost all professionals consider when making a recommendation or determination:
Furnace Age & Maintenance Record
The first thing most experts will tell you to look at when making a decision like this is the furnace’s age. This is because the average lifespan of a furnace usually falls between 15 and 20 years. Because this range is based on averages and the actual number of each system varies a lot, the next thing you’ll want to look at is the furnace’s maintenance record. You’ll want to ask how well it’s been maintained over the years and whether a professional has been able to perform vital tasks each season. This is because seasonal maintenance performed regularly and consistently by a professional increases the actual number of useful years of a furnace dramatically. In any case, when a furnace begins to get up there in age, it’s a good idea to plan ahead to prepare for replacement. Additional factors affecting a furnace’s lifespan include how well it was installed and how well repairs have been made and by whom.
Heating Costs & Performance
After looking at the furnace’s age, the next thing you want to evaluate is the furnace’s overall performance ability and overall efficiency. You’ll also need to analyze your heating costs over the past few seasons. Ask yourself whether you’ve become accustomed to paying too much for heating. You might be surprised by the advancements made in furnace technology since you had your current furnace installed. Because these newer systems are far more efficient, getting a new one could drastically reduce your home heating expenses. Here again we have an example of how being proactive with your HVAC systems helps you save money in the big picture. Any time your heating costs increase it’s usually a sure sign the system isn’t performing the way it should.
Frequency And Cost of Repairs
In addition to your furnace’s age and your heating costs, next thing you need to consider is the frequency of repairs needed and the costs of said repairs. Has the need for repairs increased in recent years? If not, or if they haven’t been very expensive and they are all long term, long lasting solutions, you might not need to have a new furnace installed just yet.
On the contrary, if the need for repairs have been a regular thing and if they’ve been expensive, opting for the new system is more likely the right move — especially if the repairs are considered relatively temporary.
A Fast Formula
Some HVAC experts suggest using the following repair cost formulas to help make a decision:
First you take the number of years the furnace has been in use and you multiply that by the cost of the repair needed. Next you use that number and compare it to the price of a new furnace.
Consequently, if the first number is more than the projected price of new heating equipment, they suggest going ahead with replacement.
Additionally, you can also compare the cost of the repair to the cost of replacement. If repair costs are more than one-third the cost of replacement, they recommend having the new system installed.
Home Comfort Levels
Finally, home comfort levels should be considered whenever you are faced with the decision to replace your furnace or repair it. If your furnace has problems sustaining comfort levels, or reaching the temperature you’ve set your thermostat on, you have a problem.
This also applies to when a home has certain areas that are usually colder than others. If you’ve been dealing with this problem, give us a call as soon as possible! We’d be happy to send one of our highly-skilled HVAC technicians over to help you out. Using the latest cutting-edge tools and technology, one of our team members can conduct a series of advanced diagnostic tests on your home heating system and come up with a detailed and accurate assessment of precisely what the problem is. The men and women we hire as technicians are highly screened and vetted employees of our growing company. We recruit the absolute best men and women the industry has to offer. They are extensively trained in-house above and beyond what the state requires and are committed to giving each and every customer completely honest evaluations with their best interests at heart. As such, your home comfort and air quality needs our top priority. We will speak candidly with you about your home heating system options, answer any questions you might have and guide you in the decision making process to help you decide whether it’s better to repair your existing furnace or install a new one.
And no matter which course of action you choose, we always have your back 100 percent. Moreover, we guarantee your satisfaction as our customer 100 percent.
Call us for home heating solutions you can trust!
At Springfield Heating & Cooling, it’s our mission to offer residents in Clark County, Ohio, the most affordable HVAC solutions in the market — always using the highest quality products available in the home heating industry with a level of service that is unmatched. Regardless of whether you are leaning towards furnace replacement or whether you are only looking to make repairs, we are always committed to you, the customer. We are more than happy to come to your residence and help you out. Your needs and concerns are our top priority.
To schedule an appointment, get a free estimate, learn more or to speak with an expert, give us a call today at 937-350-1881. For your added convenience, you can also click here to schedule an appointment now online!
In the meantime, from our family to yours — Happy New Year!
