Think back to last winter (we know, it can be painful…but bear with us): do you remember noticing a drop-off in the performance of your heating system – higher bills, for example, or maybe you had to set your thermostat higher to feel comfortable in your living space? Perhaps you had an unexpected heating repair, or noticed some unusual smells coming from your vents.
The signs that your furnace or boiler is on the downside of its career aren’t always immediately obvious, but they are usually there if you pay attention – and they often indicate that you should replace your heating equipment sooner than later.
We recognize that this can be unwelcomed news for any Rhode Island homeowner – after all, an oil-fired furnace or boiler can be a significant expense. You may shrug off the problem and wait until next year for a heating upgrade, or content yourself with repairing your equipment rather than taking the plunge on a new system.
The problem is that the cost of heating repairs add up quickly, and when you combine those costs with other considerations – higher energy bills from diminished efficiency and safety issues, to name two (older heat exchangers can crack or rust, for example, causing carbon monoxide leaks in your home), upgrading your heating equipment starts to make more and more sense.
When weighing the pros and cons of repairing vs. replacing your oil-fired furnace or boiler, consider adopting these rules of thumb:
Not sure whether it’s time to replace your furnace or boiler? We can help walk you through the decision. Contact Vaughn Oil today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on heating equipment for your RI home.