Replacing your furnace is often expensive, so many homeowners will naturally try to put it off for as long as possible. They’ll do their best to make repairs and keep their older furnaces working for as long as possible, but they can only do that for so long. No matter how well you take care of your furnace, you will get to a point when replacing it instead of repairing it just makes more sense. Here are just a few signs that will tell you when it may be time to replace your furnace.
Furnace Age
Most furnaces will last between 15 and 20 years as long as they are well maintained. If your furnace is over 12 years old and starts to break down, it’s likely time for a replacement. If it’s still relatively new and the repairs it needs aren’t too expensive, you’re better off having it repaired.
Your Utility Bills
As furnaces get older and start to wear down, they become less efficient. They might still be able to maintain a comfortable temperature, but they’ll have to work harder to do so and use more energy. This translates into higher heating bills. If your utility bills have been higher than usual even when your HVAC system receives regular tune-ups or has been repaired recently, it could be reaching the end of its life expectancy. Consider installing a new furnace that will be cheaper to run.
Your Repair Bills
You should replace your furnace if it will be cheaper in the long run than having it repaired. To help decide when you need a replacement, use the 5,000 rule. If you multiply the cost of the repair in dollars by the age of your furnace in years and come up with a number higher than 5,000, the repair won’t be worth it. Have a new furnace installed instead.
Frequent Repairs
You should also consider installing a new furnace if you’ve had more than one major furnace repair in the last two years. Two years may seem like a long time, but it really isn’t when you consider that furnaces can last up to 20 years. Don’t chalk such frequent repairs up to bad luck; they will only become more frequent and more costly until you install a new furnace.
Whether you’ve decided that you need a new furnace or you’re not sure if it’s time for a replacement, contact GMG HVAC Inc. Our technicians will be happy to inspect your heating and cooling system and decide if a replacement is right for you.
