A Florida winter may not be a bone-chiller, but it can get damp and drafty—especially for a home that doesn’t have a proper heating system in place.
But let’s say that you do have a good heating system installed. Professionals put it in and it’s provided reliable heat for you through several winter seasons. Now you’re starting to feel the pinch of cold. You just aren’t feeling comfortable indoors. You check the thermostat, and it’s set where you usually have it. You start to push it up further to see if that will help…
Whoa, stop right there! If you are having to raise the thermostat from the setting you usually find comfortable, something is not working with the heater (or possibly the thermostat). If you’ve had your heating system for more than a decade, it may be time to consider getting a new one.
Can It Be Repaired?
Repairs are an option, and you may find that a targeted repair is a cost-effective way to keep the heating system going. For example, if it turns out the problem is a thermostat that’s sensing incorrect temperatures, it’s easy to have professionals recalibrate it, with no work needed to be done on the heater. If technicians investigate the heater and find that they can repair it, ask them for their opinion on whether the repair is worth the cost. If you call us for the job, you can relax knowing that our technicians will always give you honest answers. If they think you’ll benefit from a repair that will keep the heater working for a couple more years without losing power, they’ll tell you.
When Replacement Is the Best Choice
We’ve already mentioned age, and this is one of the best ways to measure if a heating system that’s losing its power is approaching the point where it should be replaced. The expected age of a heating system varies by type. Gas furnaces can work for 15 to 20 years, electric furnaces can often go above 20 years, and heat pumps last from 10 to 15 years. If your heater is in its upper range, replacement becomes the better option when it begins losing capacity.
Our technicians can give you a good breakdown of the cost of a repair vs. the cost of a new heater installation in Wesley Chapel, FL. There are several ways to measure if a repair is worthwhile, such as the “Rule of 5000,” which states that “If the cost of a repair multiplied by the age of the furnace in years is greater than 5,000, replace the heater rather than repair it.” Of course, this “rule” isn’t carved in stone, and our technicians will also consider other factors, such as how much longer they think your heating system is likely to last and if it is also losing its energy efficiency and becoming more costly to run.
We will help you reach a decision that’s the right one for your family’s comfort and your budget. Honesty, integrity, and professionalism are at the core of our business.
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