1. Get an estimate in writing for repairs, and compare it to the cost for a new system. If the repairs will cost more than one-third of a new unit, buying a new energy efficient system may make the most sense.
Tom Eppers, co-owner, Dowe & Wagner, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning company serving residential and commercial customers in Illinois and Wisconsin, states, “Heating and air-conditioning systems are the biggest users of energy in the home, responsible for up to 75 percent of the utility bill. A new high-efficiency furnace can save up to 50 percent in operating costs over a 10-year-old furnace.”
However he adds that often simple repairs can allow an older system to provide a few more years of reliable service. Furnaces on average last 15 to 20 years. But when safety issues arise, such as a cracked heat exchanger which may leak toxic carbon monoxide gas, replacement is recommended.
2. Examine the new furnace’s warranty provisions, including length of coverage for main components and parts. Many furnace brands provide “20 years to limited lifetime” warranties on the heat exchanger, and for certain parts.
3. Make sure heating professionals – trained to properly install equipment -- take time to completely evaluate the space to be heated completely, to determine the best size unit. Sometimes replacing the existing furnace with an identically sized model may not provide optimum heating, due to new equipment advancements.
Dowe & Wagner : 11215 Commercial Street, Richmond, IL 60071 : 815.678.3000 : http://doweandwagner.com/