Repair or Replace Your Furnace?

Is it time to repair or to replace that furnace?

It is rarely easy to decide whether to repair or replace an expensive appliance when the time comes. If the cost of repairing your furnace exceeds the cost of replacing it then the decision is easy but that is rarely the case. More often a careful weighing of the pros and cons of each option is required.

The first step in your decision should be to get the opinion of a heating and furnace expert. Have your furnace inspected and get an estimate for both repair and replacement of the unit.

The issues that you and the furnace experts will need to take into account are:

Age of the Furnace
Once you have to repair an old furnace the chances are good that you will need to do it again sometime down the road. An average furnace has an expected lifetime of approximately 15 years.

Cost of Operating the Furnace
A newer furnace will cost less to operate than your old one. Consider that modern furnaces run at 90-95% efficiency compared with the 50-70% efficiency of a furnace 6-10 years old.

How Long Will You Live in the Home
If you plan to stay in the home for a number of years having an efficient and reliable furnace may make a lot of sense. But what if you plan to move soon? A quick chat with a local real estate agent should give you an idea what the increased value will be and help you decide if it is a good investment.

Peace of Mind
Peace of mind has it's own price tag. Knowing that your furnace is going to be reliable and efficient for years to come may be worth spending a bit more now. The actual value of peace of mind varies from one person to the next but it is definitely worth considering as you make your big decision.

Posted on November 02, 2005 03:11 | Heating / Cooling

Repair or Replace Your Furnace?

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