Should I repair or replace my furnace?

So congratulations on purchasing your new home. Unless you had a new home built, or the central heating and airconditioning system was upgraded just before you moved in, you may at some point be realizing that the furnace is far from new. It may have an old faded color to it as well as spots of rust from the many years of service. Despite its apparent age and condition, the furnace otherwise turns on and blows warm air out of the registers. Although maybe not at the forefront of your worries, you have perhaps wondered “should I repair or replace my furnace”?

That is a good question.

The furnace continues to run and heat your home, but it is old and at some point it will stop working. Another concern of yours might be that the furnace may be presenting a danger to the house and its occupants. When the heat exchanger inside develops cracks, carbon monoxide could be introduced into the main air stream and into the rooms in your house. Although a carbon monoxide detector can be used to safeguard your family, it will only alarm at certain levels. Then you wonder if it is okay to breath in reduced levels and whether the detector is actually working.

Having to repair or replace the furnace in your central heating system is the last thing you want to do after purchasing a home.

Our recommendation is to keep it simple and take this one step at a time. There is no need to replace the furnace right away. It makes sense to schedule with an HVAC company to come and perform what is known as a “heating inspection”. The technician will make sure the furnace is operating safely. An inspection will include a full look at how the furnace is operating, going through a checklist of items. Safety and performance data will be recorded. This includes making sure the heat exchanger does not have any cracks, checking safety shutoff devices, taking combustion readings, air flow measurements, and conducting electrical checks. A simple, low cost heating repair may be all that is needed.

It very well may be that despite its lackluster appearance, the furnace is still running safely and that your worries can be put to rest. In most cases, replacement can be put off a year or two. When your primary concern is to put your money in to other things, this course of action works. And the cost of a heating inspection is inexpensive . A few extra years gives you time to budget and save so when it is time to replace, you are ready. This plan can also provide you with great peace of mind and there is value in that.

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