View SpecialsThe most crucial time for a furnace is the day of its installation. I would say the longevity of a furnace is 80% installation, 15% maintenance, and maybe 5% the brand of the equipment.
If codes weren’t kept and shortcuts were taken on installation, your system is not going to be working at its maximum capacity.
When we go out and do our maintenance, that’s all the stuff we check. Our goal is to make sure that the system lasts you as long as possible. There just might be a time and place that the repair might not make a lot of sense, versus replacing.
Nowadays, if a furnace is installed correctly and maintained once a year for AC and once a year for heat, it should safely last you 15-20 years. If you don’t get your filter changed, your cleanings done, and so forth, you’re significantly shortening the lifespan of that system. It might be months, or it might be years that you’re shaving off the longevity of that system.
Is It Time To Repair Or Replace Your Furnace?
That’s the million-dollar question, right? When is it time to repair your furnace, and when is it time to replace it? We are in homes daily where that conversation comes up.
Our goal is just to educate; to give you all your options and guide you through that journey. Sometimes with equipment as young as 3 years old, the best choice is to replace it. We’ve had equipment that is 12-15 years old where it makes sense to repair it. Every occasion is different. We talk to you, ask what your desired outcome is, and basically give you a custom solution for your concerns.
How long are you planning on staying in your house? I have had homeowners that buy brand new systems, just because they know they will get their money back when they sell the home. But the typical homeowner we encounter is looking at utility bills and overall cost.
We have what we call the rule of 88. If your system is over 8 years old and the repair is over $800, that’s a good indicator that maybe it’s time to talk to someone about your options.
Whether your system is broken or brand new, when we come out, we do a thorough evaluation of your whole system. We’ll ask you a lot of questions regarding comfort. And if we come across anything that might cost you any money down the road, or cause any efficiency or longevity issues, we’ll let you know.
-Andreas
