Should I Repair Or Replace My Heating System?
Choosing whether to repair or replace a heating system can sometimes be a black and white decision, but more often than not it’s a grey one. If you’re on the repair/replace fence, here are five questions to ask yourself.
Considering A New Furnace Or Boiler
- How old is your heating equipment? If you’re having problems with equipment that’s more than 10 years old, more often than not replacing it with a high-efficiency model is the smarter choice; if your furnace is younger than that, the choice becomes a little murkier. Here’s a rule of thumb: if a repair costs 50 percent or more of the replacement cost, it’s generally worth the upgrade – especially with older equipment.
- How is your equipment performing? Are you noticing that your house is not as comfortable as it used to be – or that your bills are higher than usual even though the price of heating oil hasn’t changed very much? An old heating system could be operating at 60 percent efficiency or even less – which means that forty cents of every dollar you spend on fuel is doing something other than heating your house. Be on the lookout for strange odors and sounds coming from your equipment, too.
- What is the maintenance history of your heating equipment? If you’ve maintained your furnace or boiler properly since you bought it, it will likely last longer and encounter fewer big problems over the years. However, while proper maintenance may help you delay replacing your system for a few years longer, no amount of maintenance will make your equipment more efficient than it was when you bought it – or more efficient than new gear.
- Is my current equipment safe? A 10-year-old furnace or boiler is more likely than a four- or five-year-old model to develop problems that could endanger your family. For example, older heat exchangers can crack or rust, causing carbon monoxide leaks in your home (this is why annual heating tune-ups are so important, especially with older equipment).
- Have my heating needs changed? If you’ve added space to your house without changing your heating system, the next breakdown you have could be caused by pushing your equipment to meet the demands of a new heating load – a problem that is likely to recur if you keep your old, undersized system in place.
Heating System Installation And Conversions In NJ
If the time has come to replace your heating system – or you’re thinking about converting your heating equipment to a system that’s more efficient and easier to maintain – JW Pierson Co. is the way to go!
Our team can install and service a wide range of natural gas heating systems and electric heat pump systems, as well as systems powered by heating oil and propane. And because we offer everything, we can help you make a selection that works for you.
Looking to replace your heating equipment, or convert your system to a new fuel? We can help! Contact the heating pros at JW Pierson Co. today to learn more about expert heating system installations in New Jersey!
