During the winter, the last thing you want is for your furnace to give out on a cold morning. If you’re experiencing problems with your furnace, you may be deciding whether it’s time to repair or replace your furnace. Before you make a decision, there are a couple of things to consider. If your furnace will be back in working condition with a quick repair, there’s no need to buy a new one. Conversely, if your heater is at the end of its lifespan and you find yourself consistently paying for repairs, it may be time for a new one. Long-term, it will be more cost-effective to get a new furnace if you notice a cycle of repairs along with an increase in your energy bills.
General Lifespan of a Furnace
The general lifespan of a furnace is 16-20 years. If your furnace has been adequately maintained and is 12 years old or younger, you shouldn’t need to worry about getting a new furnace anytime soon. When deciding on repairing or replacing, only a professional HVAC technician can accurately assess the situation. This article will help you determine if it’s time to have a conversation with your HVAC technician.
Signs You Need to Repair Your Furnace
Facing problems with a newer furnace will most often be solved with repairs. Furnaces are considered to be new if they are under ten years old. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if the costs of repair should never exceed half of the cost to get a new system. This rule applies if your heater isn’t over the 16-year mark. If the need for repair isn’t a consistent problem, then there’s no need to replace the unit.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Furnace
If you have noticed more breakdowns in your furnace recently and it is around the 16-20 year mark, it may be time to replace your furnace. Putting this off could cause the number of repairs to exceed the cost of a new furnace. When they are towards the tail-end of their lifespan, they begin to lose their efficiency. Loss of efficiency results in older furnaces staying on longer to heat the house, which increases your energy bill. Monitoring your energy bill each month will help you determine how well your furnace system is working. Another sign that your furnace needs replacing is if you notice the air becoming dry or dusty in your home. If your furnace is not cleaning the air properly, it can result in allergies from airborne dust or pollen, dry throat and skin, and frequent dust accumulation.
Conclusion
Generally, a properly working furnace will evenly heat the home with no significant increases in your energy bill. If you start noticing any differences, it may be time to contact your HVAC technician. Having a properly working heater is essential to keeping your home comfortable and warm without having to pay a high energy bill. Whether you decide to repair or replace your furnace, we’re here to help you. Give us a call at (877) 452-8527.
