If you want to find out whether you should get your furnace fixed or replaced, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll be going over each option.
It is unfortunate, but we live in a world where fixing things yourself is a dying art, as we live in a culture where we just buy and replace a product when it stops working. There is a massive, ongoing debate about the consumer’s right to repair their products, and everyone is up in arms about the matter.
If you like DIY, then you probably agree that everyone should have the right to repair what they buy, and today, we’re going to be discussing when you should repair or replace your furnace.
It is crucial to ensure that your furnace is running, particularly in the winter when heating is a necessity. Furnace repair in Chicago and in other cities can get pricey, and replacement can get even more expensive, so let’s get into it.
When to Repair Your Furnace
The situations in which you should repair your furnace involve minor damage, as you likely won’t end up paying too much to have a simple issue like a broken pilot light fixed. While it will still be costly, you’ll only end up paying a fraction of what you would to replace the furnace entirely.
If your furnace is under ten years old, you’ll typically want to try and replace it, as an average furnace will have a lifespan of 25 years. Should you choose to repair your furnace, you’ll want to be sure that there are still spare parts available for it, as that will determine how simple and costly the task is.
When to Replace Your Furnace
In other cases, you may find that your furnace is unsalvageable, and this can occur for a wide range of reasons. For example, if your furnace suffered a catastrophic failure and is now lying in smoldering bits in your basement, you’ll obviously want to avoid trying to repair it, as you’ll have to rebuild it entirely.
It’s also a good idea to replace a furnace if it is getting too old. Even if spare parts are still available for your older furnace, you may find that the frame is compromised or that issues will start popping up faster than you can fix them. A furnace which is still in use past the end of its lifespan can also be a fire and safety hazard.
Conclusion
You’ll typically want to try and repair your furnace whenever you can, as it will cost far less than buying a new one, but there are some situations in which it simply isn’t worth it. Typically, if you’re going to pay more than 75% of the price of a new furnace to repair the old one, it isn’t worth it.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a question which can be answered through the internet, as everyone’s situation is unique, but if you follow our advice, it should be a relatively simple matter.