Is It Really Broken? When To Wait And When To Get The Furnace Fixed

Much like April, right now, we’re in the middle of two seasons duking it out for control. Fall and winter are in a boxing match; we go from a 70-degree and sunny soccer game-filled Saturday to a 40-degree Sunday filled with football games and snowflakes. So, as you’re battling out your summer and winter wardrobe, it’s also important to get your furnace fixed to ensure its ready to face the fight (of the seasons, that is).

Duke it Out and Get the Furnace Fixed?

In many cases, furnace issues can be easily repaired by a NATE-certified, HVAC professional. A typical furnace lasts about 15 to 20 years; if your furnace is less than 10 years of system life, chances are good that any furnace problems can be solved through repair.

Check the date of manufacture from inside the chamber door or call customer service to find out. If it is more than 15 years old, that doesn’t necessarily mean it needs replacement. Yet you should definitely keep your guard up. Watch for signs if it may be time to get the furnace fixed.

If you start seeing a trending increase in heating bills or your home is having issues with uneven heating, for example, your furnace is probably functioning inefficiently and in need of a repair.

Time to Throw in the Towel and Replace the Furnace?

As a general rule of thumb, if the repair would be more than 30 percent of the replacement costs, and your heating unit is more than three-quarters through its lifespan, it probably makes more sense to throw in the towel and opt for a more energy efficient unit.

Systems that are 20 years old or older can have a fuel efficiency of 70 percent or even less. A new, more energy-efficient unit will be at least 80 percent or more. Choose one that operates at 95% efficiency and you could save 25% over the older model in energy costs…which ends up paying for itself pretty quickly.

If your furnace is really down for the count and you’re ready to invest in a new unit, proper installation is critical to the future performance of the unit. When you choose Point Bay, you can be sure you’re getting the finest quality installations with worry-free performance.

Point Bay Fuel is in Your Corner

Don’t wait to get hit below the below on a snowy, wintry day only to discover that your furnace is out for the count. At Point Bay Fuel, we’re in your corner; our heating professionals and home comfort specialists can help with any of your furnace repair or replacement needs. Give us a call at (732) 349-5059 and come out swinging this season!