All good things must come to an end, and that includes the lifespan of your furnace. It’s reliable now, but that only lasts for so long.
How do you know if it still has some miles left in it, or if your furnace has one foot out the door? There are a few ways to tell, but the most glaring method is using the 50% rule.
Let’s break it down and hopefully, you’ll simply need furnace repair in Lake City, FL and not a full replacement.
The 50% Rule
Your furnace breaks down, so you pay to get it fixed, but it keeps breaking down. As the expenses rack up, you have to ask yourself where you stand with repairs vs. replacement. If your repair costs equal 50% or more of the price of a new furnace, it’s time to replace it entirely. That old furnace won’t give you enough life to justify bleeding money to keep it in good repair. If your furnace isn’t doing quite that bad, it’s worth it to repair it further. However, it’s always good to keep an eye out for an eventual replacement.
You should always plan for your furnace’s exit (because it never comes at a good time). Let’s talk about how you can begin preparing.
Is Your Furnace 10 Years Old or More?
Furnaces aren’t goners at the 10-year mark, but it’s the first sign that your furnace is nearing the end of its life. Some furnaces last for 20 years or longer, so what’s so special about the 10-year milestone? Because furnaces typically last for around 15 years. It’s a common enough metric that you’ll find it referenced everywhere across the internet.
Never assume that your furnace is the exception to the rule, or that it has more than 20 years left. Once it’s over 10 years old, continue repairs and slowly stow away money for an eventual replacement—just to be safe.
How Often Do You Need Repairs?
Frequent repairs are a sign that your furnace is giving up on you. But just how frequent really matters. Your furnace shouldn’t need repairs more than once every couple of years, even as it ages.
When the frequency kicks up, that’s when you know there’s a problem. Over time, there are just some parts that can’t be replaced, so replaceable components go under more strain and break down quicker than normal.
Just be aware of how often you’re facing repairs and keep tabs on the costs. Keep that 50% rule in mind so you aren’t straight out of luck when something big happens to your furnace.
Fix or Replace: You Be the Judge
You know your furnace better than anyone. If you’re spending massive amounts of money to repair your furnace in a short amount of time, it might be time to say goodbye.
If that’s not the case, staying up-to-date on your repairs and not waiting until the last minute will help you preserve your furnace for as long as possible.
Contact North Central Florida Air Conditioning today to schedule your furnace repair as soon as possible. Improving Lives by Improving Homes!
