Boilers and furnaces are like cars: at some point you have to ask yourself if it’ll go another 10,000 miles or if you should park it for good.
Here are some important considerations when making this decision:
Safety First
Most people don’t consider this when deciding on a new heating system, but you could be at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning from an old furnace with a cracked heat exchanger. Another safety aspect is whether you run the risk of having a boiler break down during the coldest time of the season (which is when it tends to happen). It’s more than just comfort. Exposure to low temperatures for too long has health impacts, especially for the elderly and young babies.
Why Repair?
When things are tight and you’re trying to save cash, sometimes a simple repair may be more than sufficient, depending on the age of the boiler or furnace. Just remember to consider labor costs, as well as the cost of parts. The first thing to make a note of is the age of the equipment compared to its life expectancy. Furnaces typically last in the 15-20 year range while boilers can go for 20-30 years. Some boilers even last up to 40 or 50 years!
When to Replace
There are times when repairing your old furnace or boiler just won’t work. If you have to wait several weeks to get parts because your heating equipment is obsolete, it’s definitely time to consider replacement. Even if you can still get parts, you have to face the reduction in efficiency as your equipment ages. This translates into more of your money in the utility’s pocket. As long as you can afford it, there are some real benefits of replacing your system:
You have the opportunity to upgrade to a more efficient system. It’s more than just getting the 80{1ecea09751fee220715c4386100b0b9335c44b3b193695b472d4798985f51f62} efficiency a new furnace would give. Nowadays, condensing type equipment can give upwards of 95{1ecea09751fee220715c4386100b0b9335c44b3b193695b472d4798985f51f62} efficiency.
Even if you stick with the standard efficiency heater, your bills will come down simply because you regain your initial efficiency.
Once you have that new furnace or boiler, it’s smooth sailing for the first five years. Not only is the heater new, but you get warranty coverage for anything that does go wrong in that time.
The Right Support
Regardless of what you decide, you need the right technical support. Give us a call and we’ll make sure your home stays warm for the winter!