Every fall we hear the same question in North Jersey basements: is it worth fixing this furnace again, or is it time for a new one? There's no single right answer, but a few honest questions make the decision a lot clearer, and making it in October beats making it on a freezing night in January.
Signs a repair still makes sense
- The furnace is under about 10 to 12 years old and has been reliable until now.
- It's a single, common part: an igniter, flame sensor, pressure switch, capacitor or blower motor.
- The heat exchanger is sound and the system heats the house evenly.
- The repair is a small fraction of what a new system would cost.
Signs it's time to replace
- 15 or more years old: most furnaces are near the end of their life by then, and parts get harder to find.
- Repairs every season: paying for a new problem every winter adds up fast.
- Rising gas bills with no change in how you heat the house.
- A cracked heat exchanger: this is a safety issue, because it can let combustion gases mix with the air you breathe. It's usually a replace-the-furnace repair.
- Rooms that never get warm, or a system that runs constantly to keep up.
A simple rule of thumb
Many techs use a quick check: multiply the furnace's age by the repair cost. If the number is getting close to the price of a new furnace, replacement usually makes more sense. It's not a hard rule, but it's a good place to start the conversation.
Safety comes first
If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, or you smell gas, get everyone out and call 911 or your gas utility from outside before calling a contractor. Never keep running a furnace a technician has flagged as unsafe.
How we help you decide
Our NATE-certified technicians start with a $79 diagnostic, credited toward the repair if you go ahead, and give you a written price before any work starts. If replacement makes more sense, we'll say so and explain why. When the equipment is in stock, we guarantee installation by the next day, financing is available on installs, and every job comes with our 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Learn more about furnace repair and replacement, read our furnace tune-up checklist, or see how often to change your furnace filter.
- How long does a furnace last in New Jersey?
- Most furnaces last around 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance. Once a furnace passes 15 years and needs frequent repairs, replacement is usually worth considering.
- Is a cracked heat exchanger dangerous?
- It can be. A cracked heat exchanger can let combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, into your home's air. If a technician finds one, the furnace usually needs to be replaced.
- How much does a furnace diagnostic cost?
- Our diagnostic is $79, and it's credited toward the repair if you go ahead with the work.
- How fast can a new furnace be installed?
- When the equipment is in stock, we guarantee installation by the next day. Call (866) 737-2830 to check availability for your home.