Cooler weather is becoming a real possibility in Front Royal, which means one thing: it’s time to arrange for 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 issues over the last few years.
Furnace replacement is an investment in your home, like many other home improvement projects are. So how do you know if you should buy that new furnace now or simply get your annual furnace service done?
At Dave's Diversified Services, we know that it can be a difficult decision to make, so here are a few tidbits to keep in mind if you’re not sure which path to choose.
1. Furnace Age
This is more than likely the biggest factor in to your decision, as furnace technology has improved a lot of things, from energy efficiency to the amount of noise it produces. If your furnace is more than 12 years old, it may not make sense to put a lot of money in to repairs when you could be putting that money towards a new system.
However, the typical 12-15 year lifecycle of a furnace doesn’t mean it can’t run well beyond that. If furnace service has been routine and it has been correctly maintained, you could be able to go beyond that 12-15 year average.
2. Cost of replacing vs. servicing/repairing
There are always unknowns when it comes to figuring out the cost of replacing versus having furnace service and repairs done, but there are a number of things to keep in mind when considering the two.
Furnace service
- Get a couple 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 determined by the size of your home.
- Cost will differ depending on the level of energy efficiency you’re wanting.
- The higher the AFUE rating, the greater the chance for energy savings.
After you calculate 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 choice.
Of course, these are only a small number of the variables, but the team at Dave's Diversified Services are more than happy to help you decide which furnace is right when replacement becomes a necessity. Give us a call at 540-636-3396 to find out what makes sense for both you and your budget.