In order to maintain a warm and comfortable home during the cold weather season, homeowners in Greater Springfield, MA depend on their furnace. People consider a replacement versus a repair service when their furnaces show signs of needed excessive repair, in most cases. Generally, people would prefer to wait it out and plan on delaying the more costly option of a furnace replacement, however the day comes when this makes more sense. Considering the choices, we at Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning would like to discuss furnace replacement versus furnace repair.

Rising Heating Costs

You can expect the heating costs fluctuate due to supply and demand and changes in weather patterns from year to year. There are likely underlying issues, however, when you observe unusual spikes month to month coincide with the use of the furnace. As the furnace ages, the wear and tear naturally occur on the internal components. Due to age and use, it is usually safe to consider repairs over replacement if the furnace is under 10 years and the repairs are few and far between.

Cost of Furnace Repair

A furnace replacement is in your better interest if any repair exceeds 50% of the cost of a replacement and is recommended by experts. Also, a replacement is your better option should the furnaces that have operated through over 75% of their lifespan require repairs of 1/3rd of a replacement cost. In any case, a furnace over 15 years old should be replaced when it first shows signs of decline.

Furnace Age

The lifespan of a furnace can range between 15 and 30 years, and it is contingent on the quality of the model and manufacturing year. When the furnace reaches the end of its life, concerns the furnace naturally increase. It is safe to make repairs when the furnace is under 10 years of age. It is likely better off replaced, however, with a furnace anything over ten years old that continually needs repairs for two seasons in a row.

Carbon Monoxide Leak in Furnace

With long-term exposure carbon monoxide can be potentially fatal as it is known as the silent killer. With the placement of carbon monoxide detectors, this tasteless, colorless, and odorless toxic gas can be detected. Where there are other similar issues that can produce carbon monoxide, the usual cause is the furnace has a cracked combustion chamber, that is irreparable. Below are a few signs that there has been prolonged carbon monoxide exposure.
– The furnace’s blue burner flame becomes yellow
– Extra moisture buildup is visible on surfaces such as walls, windows, and others
– Flu-like symptoms like disorientation, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms manifest
– The chimney’s upward draft is not active.
– Soot streaks surrounding the furnace
– Rusty pipes

Furnace Heating Repair, Replacement & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam Massachusetts

These are just simple suggestions when you need to consider repairing your furnace, or replacing it, but ultimately it is your choice. Whether you opt for furnace replacement or repair services, the trusted experts of Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning is happy to oblige.