Should You Repair or Replace Your Heater?

When temperatures plummet during the winter in Montana, you'll be relying on your home's heating system 24/7 to keep you warm no matter how cold the weather gets. After many years of operation, even the most reliable heaters will begin to falter and eventually break down altogether.

If your heating system is experiencing problems, then you have two choices: hire a heater repair company in the Bozeman area to fix it or have it replaced by a new unit. Which option is better for your home will depend on factors such as the age of the heater, the severity of the issues, and the difference in cost between heater replacement and repair.

Heater Replacement vs. Heater Repair: How to Decide

Every type of heating system comes with a lifespan and, once it reaches the end of that lifespan, breakdowns are bound to happen. This lifespan may vary by make and model, but in general furnaces and boilers last for 15-20 years, while heat pumps have a slightly shorter lifespan of 10-15 years. If your heater is reaching the end of its lifespan and beginning to struggle, it's probably time to have it replaced by HVAC technicians in Bozeman. However, if your heating system is only a few years old, it's worth investing in repairs.

The next crucial factor to consider is the cost of heater repairs compared to heater replacement. Repairing your heating system will usually be cheaper, but how much cheaper can vary a lot. If repairing an issue with your heater will only cost a couple hundred bucks but replacing it with a new unit will cost several thousand, schedule heater repairs. However, if repairing your current heating system will cost more than half as much as a new unit, you're better off having your heater replaced with a newer, better unit. Additionally, if you find yourself having to call your Bozeman heating technicians for repairs multiple times a year, it's time to consider heater replacement.

A factor that some Montana homeowners overlook, but which is equally important, is the efficiency of your current heating system. The efficiency of heaters is determined by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE); essentially, a measurement of how much energy is wasted when the heater is running. Most contemporary heating systems have AFUE ratings in the range of 90%, meaning 10% or less of their energy is wasted. However, old furnaces and boilers may have AFUE ratings as low as 60%, meaning they waste almost half of the energy they produce. An inefficient heating system could cost you up to five times as much to operate each year as a modern, efficient heater. If you have an inefficient heater that is beginning to have problems, replace it with an efficient model to save on energy bills.

One final question you should ask yourself before making your choice is: do I like my heater? If you have a reliable heating system that keeps your family warm and cozy throughout the winter season, then it's worth having the heater repaired so you can hopefully get several more years of use out of it. However, if you have problems with your heater, such as it taking too long to warm your home or heating rooms unevenly, then maybe it's in your better interest to replace it with a completely different heating unit.

Reliable Heater Repair & Replacement Company in Bozeman

In summary, if your heater is less than 10 years old, has been reliable, and fixing it will be inexpensive, schedule repairs. If your heater is at least 15 years old, has problems often, and requires expensive repairs, have it replaced.

Whether your heater needs to be repaired or you've decided to replace it with a new heating system, you'll need help from a professional team of HVAC technicians. Contact Monarch Heating and Cooling today if you're looking for heater replacement or repair services in the Bozeman area!