That’s a very good question, and something that we’re honestly trying to get homeowners to think about more. Heaters aren’t meant to last forever, but we would never want you to replace your heating system before it actually needs to be replaced, right? After all, you want to have your heating system run for as long as possible, just like you would a car or a phone. If it’s worth over a thousand dollars to install, then you really should try to get your money’s worth.
That being said, a heater that runs beyond its lifespan can quickly siphon money out of your pocket with high heating bills, expensive repairs, and poor comfort. We’ll go into the specifics of when to call us for heater repair in Walnut Creek, CA, and when it’s finally time to call it quits and invest in heater replacement services.
The Problems With an Aging Heater
Look, we’re never going to give you a hard answer on a blog post about when exactly to replace your heater. We can only figure this out on a case by case basis because every heater ages differently depending on the home, the owner, and the type of system. Your heater could have needed several repairs this past year which is a good sign it should be replaced, while your neighbor’s heater still works like a charm after a decade of running. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when trying to figure out if it’s worth it to keep your heater.
- Efficiency. A heater that runs inefficiently is only doing half of its job. You signed up for a heater that would keep your home comfortable at a reasonable cost every month, not a system that would bleed you dry with incredibly high energy or fuel costs. As heaters age, their ability to run efficiently wanes dramatically, and you’ll likely need a replacement to fix this.
- Repairs. It’s important to think about how often you need repairs for your heating system. If the answer is multiple times a year, or even once a year, then your heater could be on its last legs. Expensive repairs or frequent fixes are usually a good sign that your heater needs to be replaced.
- Comfort costs. What do we mean by comfort costs? Well, you might think that your heater still works enough to keep your home kind of warm, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. If your heater can’t keep your home reasonably above 50 degrees during the coldest nights of the year, then you’re likely paying for this in other ways. For instance, you could be buying more clothes to wear as layers since you’re feeling colder during the day. Or you could be wasting money on space heaters to provide that extra level of comfort that your heater won’t.
We’ve Got Your Back
Are you still unsure as to whether your heater should be repaired or replaced? Don’t worry, just give our team a call and we’ll walk you through the whole process!
Contact Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. for comprehensive heater services.