Should I Repair or Replace My Furnace?

Most homes in Los Angeles don’t have a fireplace, but they do have a furnace that keeps families warm and cozy. To have warm air circulating, you need to keep your furnace in tip-top shape, or else your home won’t feel warmth. So when your furnace breaks down, you’ll find yourself thinking, “Should I repair or replace a furnace?”

Whether it’s an installation or service call, our technicians at Monkey Wrench have seen furnaces that need a simple repair or a whole new replacement. Since 2007, we’ve successfully worked on hundreds of furnaces throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding areas thanks to the combined experience and skillsets of our technicians.

Aside from whatever issue your furnace is facing, other factors are at play. If you’re unsure whether your furnace needs to be repaired or replaced, then you will need to consider the following factors. 

• Furnace’s age
• Comparing furnace repair vs. replacement costs
• Energy efficiency ratings
• How often does your furnace need repairs?

Once you reach the end of this article, you’ll be better positioned to decide whether to invest in a furnace replacement or a repair.

Factors to Consider When Deciding to Repair or Replace a Furnace

How Old Is Your Furnace?

If you have a 15-year or older furnace heating system dealing with an issue, it may be beneficial to replace it instead of repair it. But if your furnace is still new, then going with a repair may make more sense since it may fall under warranty. 

Furnaces last 15 to 20 years, with some lasting up to 30 years if you’re able to extend their lifespan. Still, as they age over 15, they’re more prone to part failures and early breakdowns. Aging furnaces will also experience a decrease in heating capacity and energy efficiency, meaning your system will consume more energy while losing some of its heating capabilities.

On the other hand, if your furnace is under 10 years old, there’s a good chance any required repair may be covered under warranty. Most manufacturers have a limited warranty that covers defects for 5 to 10 years, depending on the model and brand.  

For technicians, age is always a factor in determining whether to go to the repair or replacement route. Another major factor is comparing the costs of repairing or replacing your furnace. 

Repair vs. Furnace Replacement Costs

Cost can be the deciding factor between repairing or replacing your furnace. A new furnace installation can cost between $6,500 and over $12,000 compared to furnace repairs, which cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. 

Sometimes, the price of replacing a furnace or repairing it can overlap. For example, a standard-entry furnace by itself can cost around $2,000 to $5,000, whereas replacing a furnace heat exchanger can cost around the same price range. 

In this example, it helps to consider the age of your furnace. If it’s older than 10 or 15 years, then maybe a new replacement works. But to reiterate from the previous section, a repair can be ideal if your furnace is still relatively new. 

Don’t forget to think about the environment when deciding between a furnace repair or replacement because energy efficiency can determine which option to choose.

Energy Efficiency Performance

Repairing your current furnace can still provide your home with warmth when needed, but it may not be as energy-efficient as a new furnace. 

You can even compare your current furnace’s energy efficiency with a new one using the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. Every furnace should have an Energy Guide label that shows its rating, or you can obtain your furnace’s model number and search for its energy rating online.

These ratings are calculated by seeing how efficiently a furnace can convert its energy to heating. As a furnace ages, it will experience a decrease in heating capacity and efficiency. So, by opting for a new furnace, you can benefit from long-term energy savings if it has a high AFUE rating. 

One incentive that can influence your furnace repair or replacement decision is the Energy Star rebate for high-efficiency furnaces. This incentive can also partially cover the cost of a new furnace. 

You may also want to consider a furnace replacement over a repair if you’re constantly calling a technician to fix your heating unit.

Furnace Repair Frequency?

Your furnace will require repairs throughout its lifespan, but too many frequent repairs are a clear sign that a replacement is a suitable choice. Some minor repairs here and there may not seem like much, but major repairs can become costly over time.

Minor repairs can cost a few hundred dollars, and some examples include replacing a capacitor or cleaning a flame sensor. Major repairs, such as replacing a blower motor or heat exchanger, can cost a few thousand dollars.

Here’s a technician tip: if repairs add up to over 50% of the cost of a new furnace, then maybe it’s best to invest in a furnace replacement than fixing a current one.  

Is It Better to Replace or Repair a Furnace?

Deciding when it’s best to replace or repair can be narrowed down to key factors. Now that you’ve learned about these factors, you can move forward with a decision that best meets your home’s heating needs. Now, you can prepare funds to either fix or replace your furnace.

At Monkey Wrench, we value giving homeowners a fair assessment of their heating systems by providing them with several solutions, whether a furnace repair or replacement. All of our technicians are certified and experienced in seeing furnaces in different types of operating conditions. We’ve repaired furnaces all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. 

If you’re interested in furnace repairs or identifying if your furnace needs to be replaced, contact us using the button below. You can also book an appointment directly through our online HVAC scheduler.