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When your furnace has been chugging along for many years, you know that it won’t last forever. Each time it has a significant problem that requires repair, you’ll be wondering, “Is this repair worth it? Or should I consider replacing my furnace instead?” We’ll give you some tips on how to make that decision. 

Factors to Weigh

There is no exact time when every furnace will need to be replaced. Instead, there are a few different factors that contribute to the timing of furnace replacement.

• Age: A good long life for a gas furnace is around 15 years. If your furnace is electric, it may keep running for longer than that. 20 years is considered a long and successful life for an electric furnace.

• Condition: These furnace age estimates are based on furnaces that have had professional maintenance every year. How well-maintained is your furnace? If it’s only ever received service when it required an urgent repair, it won’t last as long. In fact, a total lack of maintenance can cut a furnace’s lifespan in half!

• Repair Cost: If you’re not sure whether to have your furnace repaired or replaced, get an estimate of the cost of the potential repair. How much is it? A low-cost repair that will get you through the rest of the winter might be worth it, but a very expensive one might not.

• Repair Frequency: Is this the first time your furnace has needed a repair in quite a while? Or has it been requiring them often? We would consider every year pretty often, and more than once a year extremely frequent.

How the Factors Interact

It probably won’t be any one of these things that determines what you should do, but rather the combination of two or more of them. For example, a thirteen-year-old gas furnace that has been requiring many repairs will only require more as it reaches the very end of its lifespan. An eight-year-old electric furnace might be worth investing in with an expensive repair, as long as it’s in generally good condition. 

Some Simple Math

If you want an absolute and clear answer, the best approach is to try these two simple mathematical formulas. 

• The 5000 Rule: Multiply the age of the furnace by the estimated repair cost. Is the answer under 5000? Repair is a reasonable choice. Is it over 5000? You’re likely to be better off investing in a new furnace.

• The 50% Rule: For this one, you’ll need to know both the cost of the repair and the cost of a new furnace. Will the repair be less than 50% of the replacement cost? Choose repair. Will it be more than 50% of the replacement cost? Repair is probably not a worthwhile investment.

The Professional Touch

A member of our team would be best suited to help you make this determination. They can estimate the cost of your furnace repair in Corinth, TX, assess the general condition of your furnace, and give you information about your replacement options. 

Contact PRK Services, Inc. today for all your furnace repair and replacement needs.