How old is too old when it comes to your HVAC systems? Unfortunately, there is not one correct answer to this question. The technicians at Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing get this question all the time, most often when there’s a need for a major heating system repair. The answer is always based on the unique situation in your Waterford, MI home.
Safety first
This is always the primary consideration. If your heating system is causing a safety hazard that is difficult and/or expensive to fix, then replacement likely makes sense. One example is a cracked heat exchanger that could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It can be fixed but you have to decide if the repair is worth it.
Life expectancy
Every mechanical device, including your furnace, has a useful lifespan. A well maintained furnace should last an average of 18-20 years. If that’s how old yours is then you may want to consider replacing it, even if the furnace is working well. Age increases the odds of a major breakdown and it’s a lot less stressful to replace a furnace in an orderly and relaxed fashion rather than an emergency replacement when it breaks down during a severe cold snap.
Point of no return
Eventually this will happen when it comes to repairing your HVAC system. Frequent costly breakdowns are a sign you should be seriously considering a replacement in the near future. Only you can decide how much money is too much when it comes to repairing your old furnace. What Kotz will do is give you general guidelines based on how much another heating system repair will cost, how long the repair can be expected to last, the age of your furnace, and the cost of a replacement.
Heating effectiveness
Even with maintenance, furnaces get less efficient as they age. A good sign of inefficient operation is rooms that never get as warm as they should. Or the furnace has to run for an unusually long time before the house reaches the temperature set on the thermostat. This inefficiency results in higher monthly utility bills. If your gas furnace is 15-20 years old, there’s a good chance it was only 60 to 70 percent efficient when brand new. These days, furnaces have efficiency ratings of 90 to 95 percent or even higher. That’s a significant savings every month.
Crunch the numbers
Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing will take you through the process. The age, repair history, efficiency, and replacement cost should all be considered before any decision is made. This is the best way to determine if a new gas furnace makes sense instead of another heating system repair. Stay updated with great information like this by liking and following us on Facebook and Twitter.
