Cooler weather is becoming a real possibility in Huffman, which means one thing: it’s time to set up your furnace service. However, it’s realistic that it may not be that cut and dry if your system is starting to get up there in age and has been causing problems over the last few years.
Furnace replacement is an investment in your home like nearly all other home improvement projects are. So how do you know if you should spring for that new furnace now or simply get your annual furnace service completed?
At Air Houston Mechanical LLC, we know that it can be a hard decision to make, so here are a few tidbits to keep in mind if you’re not sure which way to choose.
- Furnace Age
This is probably the biggest factor in your decision, as furnace technology has improved several things, from energy efficiency to the amount of noise it puts out. If your system is more than 12 years old, it may not make sense to put a lot of money into repairs when you could be setting aside that money for a new system.
However, the average 12–15-year lifecycle of a furnace doesn’t mean it can’t work well beyond that. If furnace service has been scheduled regularly and it has been well maintained, you might be able to go beyond that 12–15-year average.
- Cost of replacing vs. servicing/repairing
There are always unique circumstances when it comes to identifying the cost of replacing versus having furnace service and repairs done, but there are several things to keep in mind when assessing the two.
Furnace service- Get multiple estimates to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
- Keep track of when your warranty is up and note what it covers so you’re always saving as much as possible.
Furnace replacement- Furnace size will be calculated by the size of your home.
- The cost will fluctuate depending on the level of energy efficiency you’re searching for.
- The higher the AFUE rating, the greater the chance for energy savings.
After you determine the costs of both routes, keep this helpful tip in mind: if your furnace service and repair is going to cost 1/3 or more of the cost of a new furnace and your system is between 12-15 years old, furnace replacement may be the better long-term solution.
Of course, these are only a few of the variables, but the pros at Air Houston Mechanical LLC are more than happy to help you choose which furnace is right when replacement becomes a necessity. Give us a call at (832) 957-9332 to find out what makes sense for both you and your budget.
