There’s no quick answer to that. It depends on the age of your heating system, how often it needs repairs, if it is heating your home comfortably, and more.
If you’ve taken good care of your heating system by having regular maintenance, and you change the filter every three months or so, it will last longer than if you ignore it and take it for granted.
But there are a few things to consider regarding whether it makes more sense to pay for repairs or upgrade to a new furnace.
- 1) Frequent Repair Costs It’s normal for a furnace to need a new belt every once in a while, and a yearly checkup can go a long way to keeping everything in good running order. Some indicators that you may need to replace your system rather than repair it are:
- -Calling the heating contractor frequently to fix the same problem
- -Needing several visits in the same heating season
- -The cost of furnace repairs is more than 50% of the value of the heater
- 2) Energy Efficiency Are your heating bills more than they were last year even though the temperature is about the same? Look closely at your heating bill. Most bills give you a year to year comparison. Older heating units can be very inefficient. Newer, high efficiency models can save you money in the long run.
- 3) Old Age Furnaces and boilers were not meant to last forever. Advanced, energy efficient models are coming out all the time. If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, you may be ready for a new heating system. Older furnaces may operate at only 65% efficiency or less. A new furnace that’s Energy Star qualified could be up to 30% more efficient.
- 4) Problems Regulating the Temperature If you’re constantly having to bump up the temperature to keep things comfortable, you have an issue. Contact a heating contractor to send someone out to evaluate your heating system. It may be something as simple as needing a new thermostat.
These are just a few of the indicators that you may be ready for a new furnace. If you need someone to evaluate your heating system, make repairs or install a new furnace, call Coldwright Plumbing and Heating today. We’re a heating contractor serving Harford County and Baltimore County, Maryland.et
