That’s a good question. You might have thought you’d get to this blog post and hear us just give you a one-word answer and call it a day, but that’s just not the case. In order to be a responsible HVAC provider, we need to tell you the truth. And the truth is, the decision to replace or repair your furnace depends on many factors.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you tell us that you’d rather pay for furnace repair in Sarasota, FL over a replacement, then we’re not going to argue with you. The only thing we will say is that it might be more cost-effective to go with the latter option.
Determining how much it will cost down the line is the main game we play when we decide between repairs or replacement. Today, we’ll try to simplify this decision and make it easier for you going forward.
Things to Consider
It’s not an easy decision to make, and that’s why it’s important to remember some basic factors that weigh heavily on the condition of your furnace. Keep in mind that we’re trying to discover the best way for you to save money down the line. If you want to repair your old furnace, you can. But the difference is that it might end up costing more than a brand new replacement and you’ll feel less comfortable in the meantime.
- Age. If your furnace is reaching 10 years and beyond in age, it doesn’t really matter how great it functions, it will start to deteriorate rapidly. Don’t try and keep a heater longer than it’s designed to last.
- Efficiency. As a heater gets old, it starts losing efficiency rapidly. There aren’t many repairs or maintenance inspections that can be done to stop this, since wear and tear is natural for old systems.
- Comfort. If your furnace isn’t keeping you comfortable, then what’s the point? Perhaps a repair could fix it, but it might not be worth the investment if it’s going to give you diminishing returns year after year.
- Safety. We probably don’t have to explain to you why an old or outdated gas furnace might be a safety concern. Replacing your system with a new one is a great idea when you’re worried about your home’s safety and halting worst-case scenarios.
- Frequency of issues. If your furnace constantly needs help, this is usually a big red flag for replacement. You’ve probably got several components in your heater that are about to go, and by deciding to have it replaced now, you could save yourself the headaches down the line.
- Expensive repairs. A great rule of thumb to use that we talk about often, is if repairs cost more than half the price of a replacement, the replacement is almost always a better choice. Don’t get caught paying for expensive repairs for a system on its way out.
- Peace of mind. It’s just so much easier when you replace your struggling system with a robust one that can do everything you need it to!
Need more answers? Call Jim McDonald & Sons Heating & Cooling Inc. Cooling Sarasota and Manatee Counties since 1970.