Your furnace is an integral part of your home, and much of your comfort is reliant on this unit. If your furnace is old, you may be wondering if it's time to replace it, or if repairing issues is the better route. This guide helps you answer simple questions that can aid in your decision whether to repair or replace your furnace.
How old is it?
If your furnace has a pilot light, odds are it may be as old as 25 years or more! The older your furnace is, the more likely it is to need repairs. The pilot light or its connectors may fail and be difficult to replace, or your older unit may become worn, encounter rust in its shell, or have other major problems. If your furnace is very old, then you may want to consider replacing it so you can have a more reliable and safe heating source in your home.
How much are repairs?
You should consider how much it will cost you to repair your furnace versus buying a new one, and how long the repairs should make your furnace last. An average estimate for a new gas furnace is between $400 and $2,000, but you can pay double that or more if you want a gas floor furnace or an oil furnace. If repairs are minimal and not very costly over the next 3-5 years, then replacement is not a necessary investment for you in the near future. Your repair service technician can give you an estimate on how much repairs will cost you over the next few years to help you make your financial decision toward your furnace needs.
Are repairs easy?
Your older furnace may require parts that are no longer in production, or be a model that has been discontinued. This can make it very difficult for a technician to perform necessary repairs on the fan, motor, and connectors. Your technician can inspect your furnace and let you know if the basic maintenance and repairs it will continue needing will be easy to perform or not. If your furnace is a difficult appliance to repair when an emergency arises, it may be in your best interest to upgrade to a new one instead.
The best way to tell if you should replace your furnace or just buy a new one is in talking to your furnace repair technician. They can guide you through your many options and help you choose between repairs or replacement of your current unit.
To learn more, contact a company like JPS Home Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd offers furnace repair service.
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