When your furnace starts acting up, you may find yourself at a crossroads. While you could repair your current furnace and hope for the best, you could also upgrade to a more efficient model that better suits your needs.
At ACS, we offer high-quality heating services and exclusive industry insight to help you choose the right path for your furnace. Our furnace repair technicians offer premium installation, repairs, and system replacements for all models of heating equipment. Before scheduling an appointment to determine your furnace’s fate, let’s take a look at what different scenarios could mean for your furnace’s repair or replacement.
Replace: Your Furnace is Emitting Carbon Monoxide
If you suspect your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide, it’s time for a replacement. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odorless, transparent gas that can escape from a furnace’s cracked combustion chamber. These cases could be considered HVAC emergencies, warranting home evacuation and immediate system replacement. If you are unsure if your family is at risk of carbon monoxide exposure, look for the following signs from your furnace:
- Yellow furnace burner flame
- Excess moisture on windows, walls, and other surfaces
- Rusting pipes
- Soot streaks around the furnace unit
- Lack of upward draft in the chimney
- Household members experiencing flu-like symptoms like nausea, disorientation, or headaches
Repair: You’re Selling Your Home Soon
For home or business owners looking to relocate, a furnace replacement may not be worth the investment. If your furnace is experiencing more minor issues, preserving it through the remainder of your tenancy may make more sense. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on a system replacement, it may be best to use a temporary fix until you’re on to your next chapter.
Replace: Your Furnace is Over 15 Years Old
Furnaces that surpass the 15-year threshold are due for a replacement. Though this will ultimately depend on your furnace’s brand, quality, and fuel type, most furnaces will show signs of wear and tear after 10-15 years. If your furnace continues to break down a year or less after its annual maintenance, odds are it’s past its prime.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average furnace will last 15-30 years in a home. To steer toward the end of the spectrum and prolong your furnace’s life, it must be regularly serviced by local HVAC professionals. At ACS, we offer comprehensive residential and commercial HVAC maintenance plans that will sustain your furnace’s efficiency and make it last.
Repair: Your Thermostat is Broken
A broken thermostat doesn’t necessarily signify a broken furnace. Oftentimes, a malfunctioning thermostat results from a dead battery or minor technology issues. So, if your thermostat starts acting up, there’s no need to panic. Thermostat maintenance repairs are one of the most common in the HVAC industry and are often quick and easy fixes. If you encounter resetting issues, unequal heating, or sporadic shutdowns with your thermostat, call your local HVAC specialist to regain control of your heating.
Replace: Your Energy Bills are Going Up
If you’re iffy about whether to repair or replace your furnace, consider checking your energy bills. If your heating habits have remained the same, but your expenses are going up, it could signify foundational issues with your furnace. A furnace’s efficiency diminishes with age, meaning it will require more energy to heat your home and subsequently raise your energy bills. A good rule of thumb is to compare your utility bills to your previous heating season and look for any significant difference. If your bills are drastically more expensive than last year, it may be time to replace your furnace with a more efficient model.
HVAC Heating and Cooling with ACS
At ACS, we are committed to helping you get the most out of your heating and cooling systems. Whether it’s furnace replacement or repair, no heating job is too big or too small for our team of top-performing HVAC technicians. If you’re looking for premier heating services in Covington, Milledgeville and surrounding areas, connect with our team today!
