Replacing A Heating System: When Is The Best Time?

A properly installed boiler or furnace could last a decade or more if it’s regularly serviced by a heating expert. But eventually, even properly maintained heating equipment will eventually break down– and if you wait too long to replace it, you may find yourself spending your hard-earned money on heating repairs for a system that is past its prime.

The million (or at least several thousand) dollar question is, “how long is ‘too long?’”

How to know if your home needs a new furnace or boiler

Although the decision whether to repair or replace your heating equipment can sometimes be an easy one to make, more often than not the choice falls into a gray area between the two options. If that’s the case, lean toward replacing your heating equipment if:

• Your equipment is more than 15 years old – Just because your heating system works doesn’t mean you should hold onto it indefinitely. The fact is, your old furnace or boiler may be running at as little as half its original efficiency; if that is true, 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 seeing a drop off in heating performance – Eventually, your furnace won’t be able to heat your home they way it should, even after heating system maintenance or professional heating repairs. In this case, replacement could be your best (or perhaps only) option.
• Your heating bills are rising – Performance drop-off can come in the form of higher energy bills, too – an indication that the efficiency of your furnace or boiler is flagging.
• You need more repairs – Repeat calls for heating repairs usually indicates a fundamental problem that could be costly or even impossible to fix. If you have older equipment, that means it’s time to install a new heating system. If it’s less than 10 years old, consider replacing your equipment if the repair cost is half or more of the cost of an upgrade.

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 you make a decision – and the best way to learn is to contact an experienced heating professional like the ones you’ll find at Holden Oil.

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 Massachusetts home.

There’s only one choice for reliable heating equipment installation and service in the North Shore: Holden Oil. Contact us today for a FREE, no obligation estimate on high efficiency heating equipment – or to become a Holden heating oil or propane customer.