Should I Get My Furnace Repaired or Replaced?

When your furnace starts showing signs that something is going wrong, you may need to decide whether to repair or replace it. Though a furnace replacement will come with higher costs, it’s important to know when an old unit won’t give you the performance or the efficiency needed to keep your home warm and your energy bills low. As you decide what to do with your furnace, consider these three main factors before you repair or replace your unit.

1. Your Furnace’s Age or Condition

Your furnace’s age and condition are two of the most important factors to consider when choosing between a repair or replacement. Typically, a furnace lasts around 15 years before it breaks down or starts to not provide efficient heating. If your furnace is near that fifteen-year mark or over, you probably need to replace it. However, a repair is usually the more cost-effective option if the furnace was installed in the past decade.

Besides your furnace’s age, you’ll also want to consider its condition. A poorly maintained furnace can break down before the fifteen-year mark and struggle to properly heat your home. If an HVAC technician’s inspection reveals your unit has multiple issues and worn-down parts, you’ll likely want to replace the unit instead of trying to continue to fix an irreparably damaged unit. When you do replace your unit, make sure to sign up for regular furnace tune-ups to extend the unit’s life and maintain its performance.

2. Your Heating Bills Keep Going Up

While your heating bills will likely fluctuate yearly, you may want to consider a replacement if your bills continue to rise for no reason. When you notice a major difference in your heating bills, you may have a furnace that’s running inefficiently and consuming more energy than it should. As a result, you’ll want to have an HVAC technician inspect your furnace to see if it’s the source of your issue.

Once the inspection is completed and the technician has identified the source of the issue, you’ll need to decide between a repair or replacement. If the repairs cost less than half of a replacement and the unit is under 15 years old, it’s likely cost-effective to repair the unit. However, if the unit is old and the repair costs would be high, your furnace is likely near the end of its life, meaning a replacement will usually be the best approach to lower your energy costs.

3. The Cost of Repairing or Replacing Your Furnace

Before you repair your furnace, it’s a good idea to see how much the repair costs. While minor damage typically comes with lower costs, a major repair can end up costing a significant amount of money. When your estimated repair cost exceeds half of the cost to replace the unit, you should probably replace the unit instead of repairing it.

A repair that costs more than half of what you’d spend to replace your unit often indicates your furnace is old or in poor condition, meaning you’ll likely need to pay for another repair soon. Since multiple repairs will add up, continuing to repair a malfunctioning or aging furnace can end up costing you more than just replacing the unit. Plus, by replacing your furnace with a new, more efficient model, you’ll likely save money on energy expenses and receive better heating performance.

Choose Bonney for Furnace Repair and Replacement Services in Sacramento

If you’re looking for furnace repair or replacement services near you in Sacramento, Bonney is here to help. When your furnace is in good condition and only needs a repair, our team will be happy to repair it after conducting a comprehensive inspection and going over your options with you. For furnaces past the point of repair, our furnace replacement services cover the removal of the old unit and the installation of a new model. We also offer furnace tune-ups to keep your furnace in pristine condition and furnace financing to ensure a repair or replacement meets your budget.

Learn more about our Sacramento furnace repair and replacement services today. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us.