Homeowners always question if is better to repair or replace a heating unit. First of all, it is necessary to understand that a furnace unit has a useful lifetime, that means it will work efficiently for a certain period of time. Regular maintenance will help to prolong the unit lifespan, however, after a certain amount of years as any other machine the furnace will achieve the end of operation life.
There are some signs that show that your heating unit has reached the end of its useful life. For example, if your energy bills are higher than usually is. As your furnace ages, it will lose its efficiency, consequently, your furnace needs to run longer, only to provide the same amount of heat which hike up your electricity bill.
If some rooms are too hot while others are too cold, and the temperature in the house is constantly uneven, it is time to consider replacing your old furnace. If the HVAC contractor is visiting your house many times a year to repair the heating unit is definitely a time to replace it. The decision to repair or replace your furnace unit depends on many factors, check below a comparison table to help you to make a wise decision.
When repair makes sense | When replace makes sense |
---|---|
Less than 10 years old | Over 15 years old |
When the furnace is under warranty | When the furnace size is not correct for the size of the house |
When the cost to repair is 60%-70% of the price of a new unit |
Safety issue ( Furnace presents a safety hazard) |