Repair vs. Replace: What Should I Do with My Furnace?

A properly installed heating oil furnace will last 15 years or more if it is regularly maintained by professionals. But eventually, even well maintained equipment will start to fade in performance – and if you wait too long to replace it, your old, inefficient heating equipment could easily become a money pit.

How long is too long? That’s the (several thousand dollar) question.

The choice of whether to repair or replace a furnace isn’t always an easy one to make; there is often a gray area between the two choices that requires some judgment to get right. There are signs to watch out for, however, that might nudge you in the direction of a high efficiency furnace upgrade.

Here are several things to consider if you are faced with the choice to repair or replace your oil-fired furnace:

• The age of your equipment – Your furnace may still function after 20 years, but it could be running at as low as half its original efficiency; if that is true, replacing your furnace could pay for itself in just a few years in heating efficiency savings alone. In the meantime, you will feel more comfortable and worry less about a sudden equipment breakdown.
• The performance of your equipment – When your furnace doesn’t produce warm air the way it used to – even after heating system maintenance or repairs – replacement could be your only realistic option.
• Higher energy bills – If you’re seeing higher than average energy bills compared to previous years, it could mean that the efficiency of your equipment is suffering – something that eventually happens with all aging heating equipment.
• More frequent repairs – Have you been noticing a more frequent need for professional heating repairs? It could mean your furnace needs a major overhaul, if it can be fixed at all. The older the equipment, the more sense an upgrade makes.
• Upgrade incentives – Sometimes a manufacturer’s rebate or government incentive can tip the scales in the direction of a furnace upgrade. Right now, for example, the Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island is offering a $500 rebate on a high efficiency furnace upgrade.*

As with any home comfort equipment choice, your best bet is to learn as much as possible before your new heating oil furnace purchase – and the best way to do it is to contact the experienced professionals at Vaughn Oil. Our experts will assess your heating needs, make equipment recommendations, and install your furnace quickly and neatly so you can get back to enjoying your warm, comfortable Rhode Island home.

If you live in our RI service area, make the smart choice for heating oil equipment installation and service: Vaughn Oil. Contact us today for a FREE, no obligation estimate on high efficiency heating equipment – or to become a Vaughn Oil customer.

*Available on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited time only. Contact us to learn more.