Imagine waking up on a cold winter morning only to realize your furnace isn’t working properly. What now? repair it or replace it entirely?
People generally worry about their family’s comfort, safety, and indoor air quality during this inconvenience. Feeling frustration and uncertainty of breaking down again after prompt repair is common. Financial concerns are also involved. There’s a lot to consider and the information feels overwhelming with the home’s heating condition.
In this article, I will share a full guide to help you make the right decision between repairing or replacing your furnace.
Key Factors to Consider: Repair or Replace Your Furnace?
A furnace works as the heating system of HVAC. When it is down, the comfort gets compromized. Deciding between repairing or replacing a furnace isn’t a simple black-and-white choice. It’s a nuanced decision with long-term implications for your comfort and finances.
Consider these factors to avoid emotional decisions based on immediate stress and make a strategic choice to replace or repair the gas furnace:
1. Age of the Furnace
Like every electrical appliance, a furnace has a certain life expectancy. A natural gas furnace and other types of heating systems generally last between 10 to 15 years.
When an old furnace is nearing its lifespan, repairs become less energy-efficient. Repairing an aging furnace is like trying to patch up a car that’s already falling apart. Every component of the furnace faces wear and tear with usage and they keep piling up.
An aging system doesn’t operate at its full capacity either. It may sometimes pose safety risks, making carbon monoxide detectors essential for homes with older furnaces to detect emitting carbon monoxide (you don’t want your furnace to be the reason for a visit from the fire department). So, replacement is often a more practical solution. At this stage, you’ll need to carefully consider whether to repair or replace your furnace, as small fixes might not prevent a larger failure in the near future.
That doesn’t mean an aging system can’t face minor issues. In that case, a professional can address those issues with a proper diagnosis and give you a heads-up for a furnace repair. Or, you may simply seek out a short-term solution altogether to get through the current heating season.
If your scenario is exceeding the furnace’s lifespan, it’s time to invest in a new furnace. If your furnace used for under 10 years and facing slight issues, repairing is the cost-effective choice.
2. Repair Costs and Frequency
Frequent repairs indicate underlying problems with your furnace. You need a service technician diagnosis regardless of your repair or replacement decision in that case. A professional inspection is crucial not only for efficient operation but also to ensure safety and prevent potential carbon monoxide hazards.
Ignoring minor repairs in the furnace can lead to more serious problems within your HVAC system, such as a cracked heat exchanger and ultimately shorten its life e.
Deciding on a furnace repair vs replacing the entire furnace based on the frequency and cost of repair depends on its diminishing return, approaching replacement costs, and a standard threshold to avoid wasting more money in future repairs.
Scenario 1: Low Cost and Infrequent repairs
The furnace sometimes faces minor inconveniences like faulty igniter or malfunctioning thermostat. Repair expenses in these cases are low and you should go for repairs.
If the furnace is relatively new and has been reliable, then opting for a replacement will result in a waste of money.
Scenario 2: Moderate Cost but Infrequent Repairs
More significant furnace repairs like blower motor replacement or heat exchanger cleaning have moderate costs.
This is a grey area to decide between furnace replacement or repairs. A rule of thumb would be to factor in the age again. If the furnace is fairly new, you can spend moderate money on it. Otherwise, replace the furnace as it will soon cost you the same or more. For example, if you have a malfunctioning pilot light, it can be replaced immediately. However, if the pilot light or flame sensor is indicating combustion issues, which can happen with the furnace’s age, you should consider a full furnace replacement against heavy repairs.
Scenario 3: High Cost for Infrequent Repairs
Furnace replacement is likely the sensible option here. The high repair charge is very much unjustifiable with older systems.
However, a major furnace repair like a heat exchanger repair or control board replacement has a lower risk of malfunction soon. You can invest in furnace repairs in these cases.
Scenario 4: Low Repair Cost, Frequent Repairs
The decision in this scenario is all a matter of “piled up” costs. If you are facing too frequent inexpensive furnace repairs, they will add up soon enough.
Furnace replacement is often a more effective solution and yields a significant difference in this case. Continuing to fix the problems from the same underlying issue becomes a costly and frustrating cycle.
Scenario 5: Moderate to High Cost for Frequent Repairs
Replacement is a no-brainer in this scenario, as a new furnace will save you from recurring expenses and ensure reliable performance.
Issues like heat exchanger problems, blower motor failure, etc. have relatively high costs of repair. If these problems keep happening frequently (in the case of old heating systems) replacement is the best option.
You can even cover a furnace cost with the added-up costs which will also save you more money on the heating bills.
3. Rising Energy Bills
Usually, the electricity gets converted into heat in electric furnaces. In other types, there are some sort of fuels (natural gas, propane, or heating oil) involved causing the utility cost. A key factor in determining whether to repair or replace is the system’s energy efficiency.
Sometimes, underlying issues in gas furnaces like faulty or dirty burners, heat exchangers, etc. cause the system to work harder to get to the same output. It burns more energy to tend to the same environment. As a result, the furnace causes a spike in utility bills.
However, the spikes eventually get too high. The excessive cost (compared to the newer versions) is comparable with newer purchases.
Oftentimes, a quick furnace repair like cleaning dirty burners can bring down the costs associated with operating with the current furnace. However, if heavy repairs are required or age-related damages are irreversible, a new furnace can offer better efficiency and lower energy bills.
Every furnace has an AFUE rating. An energy-efficient furnace has a high AFUE rating, which means it turns the same fuel into more energy. Newer systems always have higher AFUE ratings too. While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term cost benefits and reduced environmental impact make a high efficiency furnace an attractive option.
So, when should you consider a replacement based on energy bills?
If fixing any issue can save you energy bills in the near future, go for it. Otherwise, you can get a faster payback on the bills from a newer system.
4. Comfort and Performance Issues
Your furnace can have uneven heating issues because of airflow, unsecured ductwork, or other underlying issues.
Poor airflow reduces the circulation of warm air. Poor airflow happens from dirty air filters, blocked vents, failing blower motors, and a lack of regular furnace maintenance. Whatever the issue is, poor airflow causes both discomfort and high energy usage from the furnace.
The same goes for ductwork. Improperly installed or leaked ductwork often releases the conditioned air outside. So, the heating system has to work harder. These issues can often be prevented or mitigated with proper maintenance, including regular filter changes and inspections which are also crucial to maintain efficiency.
Failing furnaces are more of a concern for replacements. Short cycling and or the current furnace being oversized provide inconsistent heating output. They either need a heavy repair or are better off with replacements.
Other issues like strange noises coming from the furnace is a grey area. Because unusual noises can happen from both major and minor problems. They need a professional inspection to decide if your furnace needs a repair or replacement.
So, when should you repair or replace a furnace based on comfort issues? Minor issues like duct repairs or part replacements are as cost-effective as a furnace repair. If the issues are persistent despite repairs, the furnace has more concerning issues and a new furnace will serve better.
The Benefits of Replacing vs Repairing Your Furnace
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
| Cost | Lower upfront cost | Higher upfront cost |
| Energy-Efficiency | The furnace may still be inefficient | Higher efficiency guaranteed with energy-efficient models |
| Reliability | Temporary fix, potential for increased safety risks (e.g., carbon monoxide leaks) | Long-term solution |
| Life Expectancy | Extends life a bit | The new unit lasts 10-15 years |
| Performance | Minor improvement | Major improvement in comfort and airflow |
Furnace Repair or Replace: Final Decision Checklist
Here are all the points summarized to get you a single checklist to go through before making your final decision.
Ask yourself these questions to decide if it’s better to repair or replace your furnace:
How old is my furnace?
- Under 10 years: Repair is often preferable.
- 10-15 years: Consider both repair and replacement carefully.
- Over 15 years: Furnace replacement cost isn’t as effective and a new one is often the better long-term choice.
How much have I spent on repairs (in the last 2-3 years)?
- Minimal repairs: Repair is likely fine.
- Frequent or expensive repairs (approaching 50% of replacement cost): Replacement is likely more cost-effective.
Are my energy bills increasing?
- Minor fixes: If minor fixes can solve the issue, repairing is okay.
- Noticeable increases with heavy replacement: If a replaced part can last long, go for that. Otherwise, get a new furnace.
Is my home still comfortable? (Uneven heating, cold spots, etc.)
- Look for repairs if they are caused by minor issues.
- Replace your furnace if the issues keep coming back after repeated costly repairs.
What’s my budget for replacement vs. repair?
- Limited budget: Repair might be the only immediate option, but factor in potential future costs.
- Sufficient budget: Consider the long-term benefits of furnace replacement, including energy savings and improved comfort.
Still in doubt about your heating system condition? Ask for a personalized inspection from professionals like Green Leaf Air. Professionals can perform a full diagnosis the underlying issue and give you a more accurate report based on the observation for furnace repair or replace.
4 Factors to Decide between Furnace Repairing & Replacing [Infographic]
By the way, are you looking for an HVAC system for your home?
Check out Green Leaf Air Store where we have a wide range of residential & commercial HVAC system including: – –
Complete Goodman HVAC System – Trane HVAC system – Heat Pumps – Air Handlers – Gas Furnaces
Besides, for any Air Duct Cleaning, AC installation, AC repair services, call Green Leaf Air to ensure you get the best quotes and satisfying service.
