Wondering when you should replace your furnace?
Energy.gov recommends looking into replacing your furnace when it’s more than 15 years old.
But you likely don’t need to go out and buy a new system on your furnace’s 15th birthday—age is just one sign that you should start looking for a new furnace. Other signs include:
- Your furnace needs frequent repairs
- Heating bills are steadily increasing each year
- The heat exchanger has cracked
- Your system isn’t properly sized
We’ll go over why each of these signs indicate that it’s time for a new furnace.
Seeing these signs and want a quote to install a new furnace? Call us at (208) 629-5192 or schedule an appointment online and we’ll send one of our techs to give you a FREE quote.
Sign #1: Frequent repairs
Furnace repair costs can add up quickly. Sometimes, you’re better off investing in a new, more efficient system rather than (repeatedly) sinking money into repairing your old, inefficient one.
A good rule of thumb: If the cost of the repair multiplied by the age of your system is more than the cost of a new furnace, you’d likely be better off buying the new furnace.
For example, the cost to install a new furnace in Boise typically starts around $3,800.
If you got an estimate for a $350 repair on your 13-year-old furnace, the cost to repair your unit multiplied by its age ($350 x 13 = $4,550) is more than the cost of a new furnace.
Sign #2: Increasing energy bills
As your furnace gets older, it starts to lose efficiency—and lower efficiency translates to higher energy bills.
Why does a furnace become less efficient as it ages?
Over time, the parts on your furnace suffer a lot of wear and tear, become misaligned and get covered in dirt and debris. These factors make your system work harder to heat your home, reducing its efficiency.
Getting a furnace tune-up will clean and align furnace parts to help your system last longer, but regular maintenance only goes so far.
Energy bills that increase year over year is usually a good indicator that your furnace is nearing the end of its life.
Sign #3: Cracked heat exchanger
More often than not, you’re better off buying a new furnace instead of replacing a cracked heat exchanger.
See, the cost to replace a heat exchanger in Boise can run anywhere from $1,900 to over $3,400.
Because a new heat exchanger is so expensive, the cost to replace it usually isn’t worth it compared to investing in a new furnace.
That said, replacing only the heat exchanger might be worth it if your furnace is relatively new and in good condition.
But we recommend buying a new furnace if your current one is also:
- More than 10 years old
- Struggling to heat your home
Sign #4: Improper sizing
If your furnace is improperly sized for your home, you’ll want to look into replacing it.
An over- or undersized furnace can cause problems like:
- High energy bills
- Frequent repairs
- Insufficient heating (i.e. hot and cold spots or a home that never feels warm)
- Shortened system lifespan
A furnace that’s not properly sized for your home will likely cost you more in the long run—in the form of expensive repairs and replacing your furnace earlier than normal.
Think it’s time to install a new furnace? Call a Boise tech.
We’ll send one of our comfort replacement specialists to talk with you about your heating needs and give you upfront pricing for a new furnace—all for free.
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