It’s always tempting to start over with a clean slate, and if you have an older heater that sometimes has trouble and requires repairs, you may think that—regardless of cost—you should simply replace it with a new system and start fresh.
And sometimes that is the best choice, especially if your heater has already exceeded its manufacturer’s expected service life. If your heater has raised your utility bills and racked up repair costs, then you should also give serious consideration to replacing it.
However, in this post we’ll look at the time when you should repair and not replace. Don’t get too hasty about scheduling new installation: you might have a few good years left with your current system if you have the right repairs done.
For a professional, informed opinion about your heating in Winter Park, FL, call Downtown Air & Heat today.
When repairs are the better option
First, check the manufacturer’s expected lifetime for your system (it should be on the cabinet). If your heater hasn’t reached that point yet, you should take into account the current costs of running the system and how much you spend on repairs to keep it running.
Look over your heating bills to see where you have experienced spikes in heating costs. A heater that needs replacement will usually show a gradual build in operating costs that expert heating repairs and maintenance do not alleviate. If you notice nothing more than the expected increase in costs because of fuel prices—along with an occasional jump because of a repair need—then your heater isn’t aging fast enough to warrant a replacement.
As for your repair bills: a good benchmark figure is $500. If you pay less than that per year to keep your heater running, you aren’t yet at the point-of-no-return. However, if the number hovers near $500, you should consider finding a more experienced heating technician who can make better long-term repairs. You may need to pay a bit more for the necessary fixes, but with the right contractor, these repairs should keep away many additional service calls.
One last factor to consider is maintenance: if you’ve kept up a strict yearly regimen of professional inspections and tune-ups for your heater, then repairs should be enough to keep it running past its expected lifespan.
Whether repair or replace, call for professionals
The best way to know for sure about the “repair or replace” debate is to have an experienced HVAC technician come to your home and inspect your heater. Arrange it during a maintenance visit. You’ll then have an informed opinion about what steps to take next.
Downtown Air & Heat has NATE-certified technicians who can help you make the best choice about your heating in Winter Park, FL.
