Duration of Furnace Repair vs. Furnace Replacement

A properly maintained furnace reduces energy, fuel, and money wastage because you attain lower annual heating costs, but what do you do when your furnace is beginning to show signs that it needs repairs, and how can you tell if it needs a replacement instead? Let’s find out.

Of course, routine maintenance will increase the longevity of your furnace, but it won’t hurt to know the duration of furnace repair. It is important to remember your life is delicate, and the risk of fire, lethal carbon monoxide leaks and unhealthy gas fumes from the furnace threaten your own life’s longevity.

When to Replace or Repair Your Furnace

Choosing between furnace repairs and furnace replacement is not as tricky as it seems if you are well-informed about the factors and conditions that could affect your furnace lifespan, although the decision-making could be overwhelming.

Here are a few scenarios that can help you decide between having your furnace repaired and getting it replaced;

If You Had Your Furnace Installed Over 15 to 30 Years Ago, Replace It

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that a furnace would last for 15 to 30 years before opting for a replacement. Even the highest quality furnace must be replaced if it falls into this time category. You might want to look out for signs of wear as they increase with time.

So, instead of frequently repairing your old furnace, installing a replacement after your furnace has exceeded its lifespan will cost you less and save you more. And if it hasn’t reached its lifespan potential, repairing it would be a better option.

If Your Heating Bill Keeps Increasing Drastically

Your heating bill fluctuating yearly due to supply and demand and weather pattern is quite normal, but what do you do when the usual drastic spikes in the heating bill are caused by your furnace?

Having compared the costs between past and present heating bills, you have monitored and confirmed it’s the furnace, and its energy consumption has become a huge problem; have it repaired if it’s less than 15 years old.

Read: Tips To Prevent Air Conditioner And Heater Problems

If it is older than 15 years, the increased strain is due to worn down internal parts trying to keep up, but instead, it begins to struggle, thereby consuming more energy than it should; if that is the case, getting a new furnace is a better solution.

If The Cost of a Furnace Repair is More Than Half the Cost of a Replacement

Please do the honor and replace it. It is necessary to consider and compare repair and replacement costs to guide your decision-making. The general rule is that if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the replacement cost, a replacement is your best bet.

On the other hand, if your furnace has exceeded its life expectancy to 75% and its repair cost would be one-third of a replacement cost, then it’s time for a change.

What Is Checked During a Furnace Inspection?

If your furnace begins to feel warmer in one room than in another, or you have to continuously adjust the thermostat to regulate the air so you feel comfortable. These are a few signs that your furnace is losing its effectiveness.

After reaching out to a professional to have it inspected, they tend to check whether you have an outdated duct system that might struggle to distribute heat evenly. Other things checked during furnace inspection include;

• The vent system; checked for any leaks or blockages
• The tight seal on the blower access door
• The blower and the blower wheel; checked for dirt and debris
• The air intake grills; checked for blockages.
• The burner; checked for problems affecting the ignition and flame sensor
• Electrical connections are checked as well
• The heat exchanger; checked for signs of corrosion and cracks or separations
• The thermostat calibration
• The belts; checked for wear or cracks.
• The system’s startup cycle
• The furnace’s air filter
• An amp-draw test on the blower motor compares the results to the unit’s listed specifications.

How Long Should a Furnace Repair Service Take?

Once the problem has been located, and the choice between repair and replacement has been decided, your next big question will be how long do I have to wait to get my house back to a comfortable temperature?

Unfortunately, only the magnitude of the problem can determine this because the time taken to fix a problem caused by the furnace’s blower’s wheel will not be the same as the time used to replace its engine.

Making changes either by repairing old faulty equipment and replacing them or replacing the entire furnace is one complicated situation. It can take between 6 to 12 hours or a full day before it can be completed. Installing a full system, a furnace, and an A/C unit can take longer and probably 2 to 3 days.

On the other hand, serving can be done in less than 4 hours as long as a professional who knows their craft is working on it. Your furnace should be serviced annually for better maintenance.

Servicing your furnace at least once a year will have it running efficiently while maintaining optimal indoor air quality, except you have someone at home with any respiratory issue, then have your furnace serviced 2 to 4 times each year.

When Professionals Service Your Furnace

Servicing your furnace will help you save money because when your heating system is running efficiently, you save more on your energy bills. Continuous routine keeps your warranty valid since furnace warranties’ terms and conditions include consistency with regular maintenance.

Whether to minimize any risk that can arise or to identify minor issues on time, servicing your furnace and all electrical and mechanical devices in your homes is a must-do. And what are the areas of the furnace that are serviced? All parts checked during the furnace inspection are serviced.