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For most people, it’s human nature to want to keep something around for as long as it’s running. Whether it’s a car or a computer, so long as it’s still working, you’re willing to keep it around even though its performance isn’t nearly as good as it used to be.
When you think about it, it doesn’t make much sense to keep a gas-guzzling car that’s always in the shop around. Or a computer that’s so slow you spend more time doing basic tasks than you would with a new one. The same can be said for a heating system.
Heating systems are one of those things where you’re making do with it even though your home comfort is suffering and your utility bills are going up and up. Furnaces have had some remarkable advances in technology in the last 10 years or so that make getting a new one especially appealing.
So how do you know when to replace an old furnace vs repairing it? Let’s take a look at when a heating repair isn’t worth it and it’s time to pull the plug on that old, outdated furnace.
System Age
This is the top determining factor in deciding whether or not to repair or replace a furnace. Is your furnace in the 10-15 year range in age? Perhaps it’s even older than 15 years? It’s never worth it to repair a furnace that’s more than 15 years of age. Here’s why.
There’s a rule called the Rule of 5,000 that can help you determine if a repair is worth it if you know two things: the furnace’s age and the cost of the repair.
Let’s say you have a repair estimate that’s $400 and your furnace is 10 years old–right at that age when furnaces can start to decline in efficiency. All you have to do is multiply $400 x 10 to get $4,000. Because this amount is less than $5,000, you’re better off going with a repair than a replacement.
Utility Expenses
This is a factor that you should strongly consider when deciding whether to repair or replace a furnace. How much are you spending on utilities? Have you noticed a steady increase or has your bill skyrocketed?
If you’ve been experiencing high utility costs, the first thing to ask yourself is if your furnace has had routine annual maintenance. If not, this is what’s accounting for those increased costs. You could schedule maintenance to see if that helps your furnace run more efficiently.
However, if you’ve neglected a furnace for many years, a tune-up isn’t likely to help much. It’s time to consider if a new furnace will be worth the cost when you consider how much more energy efficient it will be compared to a furnace that’s even a mere 10 years old.
We’re always here to advise you on whether it’s time to upgrade your heating system or keep the old one going just a little longer.
Contact Premier Heating & Air for heating repair in Dublin, GA and Experience the Premier Difference.