Although El Nino has bestowed an unusually warm winter upon residents in Gurnee, Illinois, homeowners should still keep an eye on and maintain their furnaces as if the temperatures outside were cold enough to freeze their doors shut. While furnace maintenance helps you conserve energy – and money – and avoid major breakdowns, an eventual furnace repair or replacement is inevitable. Here are some of the signs to look for when assessing whether to repair or replace your furnace.
When You Should Repair Your Furnace
In most cases, you’ll opt to repair your furnace instead of replacing it. Here are some common issues you might notice that will warrant a repair.
- Minor issue. Whether your heating system barely blows or it doesn’t turn on at all, in most cases a minor issue is disrupting its efficiency. Check your air filter and thermostat settings, or call a professional HVAC contractor for a closer look.
- Small upgrades. While an upgrade isn’t technically a repair, it can help avoid major breakdowns and a sooner-than-expected replacement. Upgrading to a programmable thermostat is the best thing you can do for your HVAC system, your home and your pockets.
When You Should Replace Your Furnace
There’s no doubt that replacing your furnace is an investment, but it could be one that pays off over the long term if you play your cards right. Here are some of the reasons you might consider replacing your furnace instead of repairing it.
- Old and outdated furnace. Even if your furnace doesn’t need an immediate repair, if it’s more than 15 years old then it’s likely costing you money instead of saving it. New furnaces are highly efficient and worth the investment if your current heating system is on its last legs.
- Major breakdown. If you don’t consistently keep up with furnace maintenance, your heating system will eventually suffer a major breakdown. In some cases, even with relatively newer furnaces, it’s better to bite the bullet and invest in a new model that conserves more energy, saves you money and is better on the environment.
For more information about furnace repair and replacement, check out our list of heating services or contact us at (847) 260-9335.
