Appliances and fixture in your home breaking down from time to time is a part of life for a homeowner. Sometimes however, when your furnace is ailing, you have to make a tough decision about whether to opt for furnace repair or replacement.
Should You Repair or Replace?
There are several key factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace:
- Cost: Compare the cost of the repair with the cost of the replacement. If something major went wrong, such as a cracked heat exchanger, it may make more financial sense to start over with a new unit. Alternatively, if it breaks down with less serious malfunctions, a repair will probably make more sense. If you keep having to make repairs, however, furnace replacement is probably in order.
- Budget: Sometimes you simply can’t afford to replace a furnace. In these cases nickel and dime repairs may be the only option until you can save enough to invest in a new furnace.
- Age of Furnace: A well-maintained furnace can last up to 25 years. However many will start breaking down as they get closer to the end of their service life. They also start losing efficiency, costing you more in monthly utility bills. If your furnace experiences a major breakdown and is getting close to the 20-year mark, look for a new unit.
- Condition of Furnace: Regardless of the age, rust and deterioration can attack furnaces if they’re not well maintained. Visible signs of deterioration indicate that your furnace is on its last legs, which means a replacement makes more sense.
- Heating Bills: If you have an old furnace, it probably uses less efficient technology. If you find that your heating bills keep rising and are already high, do some simple math to determine how much a more efficient furnace can save you.
To get an expert opinion on whether you need a furnace repair or replacement in your Dayton area home, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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