Replacing a major household appliance isn’t a cheap prospect, and it’s tempting to put it off as long as possible. With winter getting closer each day, you may be thinking nervously about whether your furnace can survive another brutal Minnesota winter. As you’re making the decision about whether to replace or simply repair your furnace, keep in mind that sometimes postponing an upgrade can end up costing you more in the long run—and can even be detrimental to your wellbeing. Old furnaces can develop cracks that leak carbon monoxide into your home. These are the top three warning signs that your furnace is ready for replacement.
1. How old is your furnace?
A typical lifespan for a furnace is 16-20 years. If your furnace is under 16 years old, it’s probably still in good shape. Just schedule your annual inspection to be sure. If your furnace is approaching this range, however, you may want to start budgeting for a replacement in the near future. During your seasonal inspection, your heating professional can give you an estimate of just how much time your furnace has left before it’s time to start shopping for its successor.
2. Weigh the financial costs and benefits.
Furnaces get more and more expensive to maintain as they age. When your furnace starts to age, sit down and compare how much you stand to save in repair bills by replacing your furnace a few years before it officially kicks the bucket. The general rule of thumb is that if the repair will cost 50% of what it would cost to replace the furnace, you should just replace it. But even if the repair bill is less than 50% and more repairs will follow the next year and the year after, you may still save money in the long run by replacing now.
Likewise, watch your heating bills. Furnaces become less efficient as they age, so you will start to see a significant increase in your energy bills in your furnace’s final years. It may be the case that the money you save on heating costs will make the investment in a new furnace worth it.
3. Is your home temperature comfortable?
The simplest indication of your furnace’s health is whether or not it’s doing its job. If you’re finding that certain rooms are chilly while others are uncomfortably warm and you’re constantly readjusting your thermostat trying to find an equilibrium, it may be a sign that your furnace is no longer up to the task of effectively distributing warm air throughout your house. It’s time to upgrade.
For your well-being, it’s best to replace your furnace before it reaches the crisis point. If you do experience an emergency furnace failure, we can help. Bonfe offers a 24-hour emergency service guarantee if you need assistance outside our regular service hours.