Should You Repair Or Replace Your Furnace?

Choosing whether to repair or replace your furnace is tricky if you don’t have vast HVAC knowledge. After all, nobody wants to get stuck with a defective furnace after spending a fortune on repairs. So, should you repair or replace your furnace?

You should repair your furnace if it’s under 10 years old and the cost of repairs is under $2,000. However, you should replace your furnace if it’s between 10 to 15 years old, and repairs will be expensive. Infrequent repairs should indicate that your furnace doesn’t need to be replaced for a while.

When in doubt, it’s best to schedule a check-up and ask the HVAC technician what your best option is. Use online reviews to find a reputable HVAC service to ensure you get the best advice. Follow along as we explore whether you should repair or replace your furnace.

When To Repair Your Furnace

If your first instinct is to repair your furnace, you’re probably right. That said, the line between repairing and replacing a furnace is somewhat fine. However,here are a few key signs that can signal if you should repair your furnace or replace it, including:

Your Bills Have Increased

Mny people think that high energy bills automatically means they need a new furnace. While this is true in some cases, a furnace doesn't always need to be replaced just because the bills increase. For example, you may get high energy bills just because your air filter is dirty or the ductwork is clogged.

In that case, cleaning your air ducts and replacing the filter should fix this problem. It’s always worth starting with your air filter, as whether it is dirty or not can significantly affect its operation. If no simple fixes help, then you should consult an HVAC technician to see if you must replace your furnace.

The Unit Is 10 Years Old Or Younger

Furnaces can last up to 20 years with lots of maintenance and care. However, a 10-year-old furnace can behave much older than it is if it’s not working correctly. That said, most repairs that a 10-year-old furnace may need should be relatively simple and inexpensive.

Your furnace shouldn’t require major repairs if it’s under 10 years old, like replacing the heat exchanger. If the unit is under 10 years old, it’s worth repairing minor problems, like a broken blower motor or control board. Don’t rush to replace your furnace if it has at least 5 to 10 years left in it.

Your Furnace Won’t Run

Nobody can blame you for panicking when you adjust your thermostat, and nothing happens. However, this doesn’t automatically mean that your furnace is broken. Your furnace or thermostat may need minor repairs, which are cheaper than replacing a furnace.

An outdated thermostat cannot effectively communicate with your furnace, so it won’t get the message when to run. In that case, it may seem like your furnace is broken, but your thermostat is to blame. Similarly, it may be a case of wiring problems between your furnace and thermostat.

Don’t count your furnace out until you’ve had an HVAC technician diagnose the problems. Chances are that your furnace or thermostat only needs minor repairs.

You Rarely Have Problems

Furnaces don’t just break overnight without signs of issues beforehand, at least not usually. That’s because a furnace will gradually experience performance issues and require repairs over many years. Don’t replace your furnace if you’re having your first real issue unless it’s absolutely necessary.

It’s unlikely that you’d need to replace your furnace after never having had problems before. Even spending a few hundred dollars on furnace check-ups and repairs per year doesn’t necessarily warrant a replacement.

Minor, infrequent repairs are normal and doesn't mean your furnace is broken. Replacing a furnace costs thousands of dollars, so it’s worth keeping your unit for as long as it makes sense to.

When To Replace Your Furnace

It’s Over 15 Years Old

Old furnaces don’t run as efficiently as newer furnaces, and that should come as no surprise. That’s especially true when your furnace is around 15 years old. Furnaces only last roughly 15 to 20 years, but they can stop working sooner due to neglect.

Because of that, repairing an old furnace is considered wasteful, and HVAC technicians often recommend against it. Once your furnace gets old, it’s worth setting some money aside to save for a replacement. That way, you can replace your furnace as soon as it’s necessary.

The Repairs Are More Frequent

Having to pay for one check-up and one repair per year is somewhat normal for a healthy furnace. However, frequent maintenance calls can indicate that your furnace is past its prime. This typically relates to age, how well you maintain it, and your thermostat habits.

If your furnace is old and requires frequent repairs, you may just want to replace it. There’s a good chance that the repairs will gradually become more and more frequent with time. Replacing a faulty furnace will ultimately save money on repairs and exorbitant bills.

Consistent Discomfort

Nobody wants to live in a consistently uncomfortable house. Unfortunately, no amount of repairs can make your house comfortable if your furnace is past its prime. For example, an old, faulty furnace can’t always distribute warm air throughout your home.

This can make your home quite uncomfortable during the winter, especially if you also have dirty air ducts. It’s worth replacing your furnace if your home stays uncomfortable even after repairs.

Repairs Cost Over $2,000

As a homeowner, you must draw the line regarding how much you’ll spend on repairs before considering replacing a furnace. Spending a few hundred dollars is normal, but spending a few thousand dollars isn’t. For example, spending over $2,000 on a furnace that’s already 10 years old is not a great investment investment.

The furnace will likely only be viable for another 5 to 10 years, so spending $2,000 on repairs is wasteful. In that case, you’re better off putting that money toward a new furnace altogether. Replace your furnace if the cost of repairs exceeds $2,000 and your furnace is already somewhat old.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Furnace?

It costs an average of $4,800 to replace a furnace, but it varies between units and types of furnaces. Other factors, like labor and home size, affect the cost of replacing a furnace.

Electric furnaces cost roughly $2,000-$7,000, whereas natural gas furnaces cost $3,500 to $10,000. Replacing a propane furnace costs up to $14,000, whereas oil furnaces cost $4,500 to $10,000.

Summing It Up

Replace your furnace if it’s 15 years old and requires expensive repairs, as it's not worth spending a lot of money. It’s also a good idea to replace your furnace if it constantly needs repairs. Otherwise, you should just repair your furnace if it's 10 years old or younger and rarely needs repairs.

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• Why Does The Furnace Smell Bad When You First Turn It On?
• Why Does My Furnace Keep Tripping The Breaker