Upgrading My Furnace: How Do I Know It’s Time?

A properly installed oil– or propane-fired furnace could last a decade or more if it’s maintained properly by a heating professional.

But eventually, even well cared-for heating equipment will eventually break down – and if you wait too long to replace it, you may find yourself with a money pit on your hands.

The big question, of course, is “how long is ‘too long?’”

When To Get A New Furnace

While the decision to replace rather than repair your furnace can sometimes be an easy one to make (if your equipment is found to be beyond repair, for example), more often than not the choice falls between the two options.

If that’s the case, lean toward upgrading your furnace if:

• It is more than 15 years old – Just because your furnace “works” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t replace it: an older heating system could be running at 60 percent efficiency, or even less. If that’s the case, replacing it with a new, high efficiency system could pay for itself in just a few years. In the meantime, you will feel more comfortable in your space and worry less about no heat emergencies.
• You’re less comfortable than you used to be – Eventually, your furnace won’t be able to heat your home they way it should, even after service or repairs; in that case, replacement could be your best (or perhaps only) option.
• Your heating bills are rising – If you notice rising heating bills compared to previous years even though the price of oil or propane hasn’t changed significantly, it could mean that the efficiency of your furnace is dropping – something that happens naturally as your equipment ages.
• You need more frequent repairs – Repeat calls to your heating repair professional often indicates a fundamental problem that could be quite costly – or perhaps impossible – to fix. If your equipment is more than 10 years old, it’s almost always a good idea to opt for a furnace upgrade – especially if you’ve had repairs twice or more during the last three years.

As with any home comfort equipment choice, your best bet when considering whether to repair or replace your heating system is to learn as much as possible about your options before making a decision – and the best way to learn is to contact an experienced heating professional like the ones you’ll find at W.H. Riley & Son.

Our experts will assess your heating needs, make recommendations for your upgrade, and install your heating equipment quickly and neatly so you can get back to enjoying your warm, comfortable Rhode Island or southeastern Massachusetts home.

Considering a furnace upgrade? We can help! Contact W.H. Riley & Son today for a FREE, no obligation estimate on heating installations in northern Rhode Island or southeastern MA!