When your heating system has major issues, or has broken down completely, or when you get a quote for repair that’s very high, it can be hard to know what to do.
Can your furnace be repaired?
Is it worth paying so much for a single repair?
Is replacement your best bet? Here are some tips to help you navigate what to do.
Get a Professional Estimate
If repairs are needed, the first piece of information you need is what the cost will be to complete the repairs. Your technician can also answer general questions about the overall condition of the furnace.
Consider the Age of the Furnace
How long a furnace can last depends largely on two factors. The first is the type of system. Gas furnaces rarely keep running much past 15 years. Electric furnaces can last up to 20 or so. The second factor is maintenance. Those age estimates are taking annual maintenance into account. If your furnace has never been maintained, it may only last half as long.
Take Repair Frequency into Account
The current need for repair shouldn’t be the only thing you weigh here. If this is the first time in years that your furnace has needed repair, that’s a very different situation from a furnace that has been requiring repairs more and more frequently. As they age, furnaces have more and more failed components, so those repair needs will just keep coming up more often.
Try One of These Methods
There are two ways to consider whether the cost of a currently required repair is worth the investment, or whether you’d be better off replacing the furnace. Give them a try.
- The 5000 Rule: Multiply the age of the furnace by the estimated repair cost. If the result is under 5000 (for example, 8 years x $400 = 3,200) you should get furnace repair in Boston, MA. If the result is over 5000 (11 years x $600 = 6,600) you should seriously consider replacing your furnace instead.
- The 50% Rule: This one requires less math, but more research. Find out how much a new furnace would cost. If the projected repair would be more than 50% of the cost of replacement, chances are, a new furnace would be a better investment.
Don’t Forget about Operational Cost
If you’re still on the fence, consider this. As furnaces age, their efficiency drops. At some point, maintenance can no longer keep that efficiency up. This means paying more for the same amount of heat. In addition, new developments in heating technology have improved furnace efficiency. Today’s efficient furnace will use less energy than your older furnace did even when it was brand-new.
A Reliable Partner in Home Comfort
Whether you’ve decided on repair or replacement, or need some guidance from a professional who is knowledgeable about your specific heating system, make sure you choose the right company to work with. A reliable partner in the care of your furnace will provide installation, maintenance, and repair, and will be available 24/7 in case of emergencies.
At Cooling Unlimited, we offer all that, plus more than 25 years of experience serving customers in our area. When you have concerns about your furnace, don’t hesitate to ask.
Reach out to Cooling Unlimited, Inc. to speak with qualified heating experts.
