A furnace that keeps breaking down just when the autumn and winter months are upon us is a serious inconvenience, no matter how you look at it. So, what’s to be done? Should you have your furnace repaired or replaced?

If you’re in a hurry to prepare your home for the upcoming colder weather, you probably want to have your furnace checked sooner rather than later. We can help with that! Action Air Conditioning, Heating & Solar is your go-to furnace repair in Escondido and the surrounding areas.

Not only can we help you decide if your furnace needs replacing but we can also help you extend the lifespan of your furnace and tell you why your furnace isn’t working properly. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Should I repair or replace my furnace?

When a furnace stops working, most people turn to professional HVAC technicians to fix the issue. But what if repairing the furnace costs you more than buying a new one? How do you decide on the best path to take in this situation? Keep reading to find out.

YOUR FURNACE IS AT THE END OF ITS LIFESPAN

If your furnace is more than 15 years old, you may have to replace it anyway in the near future. In this case, you should have a licensed technician take a look at your furnace and determine the best approach.

THE REPAIR COSTS ARE GREATER THAN THE REPLACEMENT COSTS

When deciding whether to replace or repair, a general rule of thumb is to go for a replacement if the overall repair costs are greater than 50% of the replacement costs. However, if your furnace is old, you should consider getting a newer model if the repair costs exceed ⅓ of the replacement expenses.

THE FURNACE MALFUNCTION IS COMPROMISING YOUR SAFETY

Furnaces function by burning fuel. This process entails a number of byproducts that can be quite dangerous if the furnace isn’t in good shape. For instance, cracks in the heat exchanger can allow carbon monoxide (CO), a toxic odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, to leak into your house.

Can a furnace be repaired?

Are you experiencing troubles with your furnace but aren’t sure if having it repaired is a good decision? Here are some factors that could help you decide:

• Your furnace is less than 10 years old. Since most furnaces have an average lifespan of 15-30 years, a furnace that’s newer than that shouldn’t be impossible to repair if you rely on seasoned HVAC technicians.
• You’re experiencing the issue for the first time. Unless your furnace has been malfunctioning constantly, you’re probably experiencing a one-time issue that can be fixed by experienced heating professionals.
• Your heating bills are normal. If you haven’t noticed a significant increase in your electricity usage, repairing it would probably be a cost-effective solution. Have your unit checked anyway to make sure there are no safety concerns.
• You haven’t noticed a decrease in efficiency. If your furnace is able to keep all the rooms in your home equally warm and hasn’t shown any signs of uneven heating, the issue probably isn’t too bad.