Should You Repair or Replace Your Heater?

When should you repair or replace your heater? Many homeowners ask this question when their furnace breaks down, and they’re deciding whether repair or replacement is best for their home and budget. There’s nothing worse than cranking up your thermostat to escape the cold, only to realize your heater is blowing cold air, or your heater doesn’t turn on at all! It’s not only a huge discomfort, but can also quickly eat into your energy bills.

Many factors can influence this choice. The age of the heater, the frequency of previous heater repairs, the efficiency of the system, and more. There’s a lot to consider, but don’t worry. We’ll help clear the waters so you can feel confident in deciding whether to repair or replace your heater.

Our team of experienced heating experts is always available to assess your unique situation and help you reach the best solution for you.

When Should You Replace Your Heater?

Repair Costs Are More Than 50% of the Cost of Replacing the Heater

A well-maintained furnace typically lasts 15-20 years. But no heater lasts forever. The older it gets, the less efficient it will become, and the more likely it will be to need repairs. At a certain point, it’s not worth putting money into repairing a heater.

Another common rule of thumb is the $5,000 rule. Take the estimated repair cost and multiply it by the age of the heater. If that amount is greater than $5,000, it’s probably time for a heater replacement. For example, if repairs would cost $700 and your heater is 10 years old, the multiplication comes out to $7,000.

Your Heater is Releasing Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic, odorless, clear gas that all fuel-burning furnaces produce as a byproduct. Your furnace contains the carbon monoxide inside a component called a heat exchanger before releasing it safely out of your house. But if the heat exchanger or other components break, the toxic gas can escape into your home.

Carbon monoxide can cause sickness in as little as five minutes, and even death. Hundreds of people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, so it’s not an issue to ignore or delay.

Carbon monoxide warning signs include

• your CO detector going off (even if you don’t know why)
• sudden onset of chest pain, dizziness, headache, and/or vomiting
• your furnace’s pilot light or burners burn yellow instead of blue
• soot around the furnace

If you suspect your heater is leaking carbon monoxide, do not wait. Leave your home immediately! Once you’re evacuated, call the fire department and wait for their directions. Only then should you start looking for an HVAC pro for furnace replacement in Las Vegas.

If your heater is leaking carbon monoxide, you should replace your heating system to keep you and your family safe.

You Have Rising Utility Bills

Look at your utility usage. You can get a 12-month usage summary from your utility company. It’s normal for costs to be higher at the height of summer and winter due to increased air conditioning and heat usage.

However, sudden spikes or gradual, sustained rises can indicate your system is operating inefficiently. For example, an older, less efficient furnace may cause your heating costs to creep up month over month. This could indicate a need for repairs or replacement. Best to call a furnace repair company near you to evaluate the health of your furnace.

Repairs Are Needed More Often

It starts with small things–simple repairs to minor parts. But later the repairs become more significant and more frequent, or multiple issues are happening at once. This naturally becomes more common the older your heating system gets. At some point, you’ll have to decide when enough is enough. It may be time to find a heater replacement in Las Vegas.

Well-maintained heaters are much less likely to need repairs and can go more time before needing replacement. We recommend getting heater maintenance done at least once a year. Sunrise Service even has an annual discount maintenance plan to ensure your heater and air conditioning stay in top shape year after year, at a lower cost than paying for one-off services. Definitely something worth considering.

Your Furnace Makes Loud Noises

Furnaces are designed to operate quietly. Aside from the normal noise a furnace makes when it turns off and on, you shouldn’t notice it. Popping, banging, screeching, rattling, or buzzing sounds are not normal.

If your heater is making loud noises, call on Sunrise Service for assistance as soon as possible. The problem could be as simple as ductwork or a part that came loose, or it could be something much more severe. Loud noises coming from your furnace could be a sign that it is overheating, which causes metal to expand or grind against objects inside.

The earlier a problem is caught, the better chance that a simple heater repair will be enough, especially on newer units. If your heater is older than 10 years, you might be due for a heating replacement.

Your Furnace is Old

Regular maintenance and repairs keep your furnace operating properly and efficiently for a long time (certainly longer than systems that get neglected). However, no furnace can last forever.

When your furnace reaches 10-15 years old, it’s likely time to consider replacing your unit instead of sinking hundreds or even thousands of dollars into repairs. If your heater has never been maintained, you may not want to wait that long before considering a heater replacement.

If your furnace is on the older side and still working perfectly, you can usually wait until it fails to replace it. Or do preemptive repairs to keep it operating as long as possible and avoid putting yourself in an emergency no-heat situation.

Your Furnace Isn’t Warming Your Home Evenly

A poorly functioning furnace can result in uneven heating throughout your home. Some rooms may be sweltering while others are frozen.

Before you jump to replace your heater, make sure to check for other potential issues first. Something as simple as a stuck damper (i.e. a special value inside the duct to control how much hot/cold airflow reaches the room), or another minor issue may be the root cause. Luckily, heater repairs like these tend to be far less costly than a full replacement. But if no other issues are present and the problem persists, it may be time to consider replacement with a professional heater installer near you.

You Plan on Selling Your Home Within Five Years

If you’re thinking of moving, you may consider replacing your heater. Since buying a home is a big investment, many home buyers like when a home has a newer heating system they won’t have to worry about. You can also enjoy the benefits of a new, efficient heater during your remaining years in the home.

On the flip side, if your heating system is still in pretty good shape, you may just want to invest in good maintenance and repairs to get as much life out of it as possible.

Either repairing your heating system or replacing it can be a good option. You’ll just have to weigh the pros and cons carefully if you’re thinking of selling your home.

How Long Do Heaters Last?

A well-maintained heater typically lasts around 15-20 years. Naturally, the older a system gets, the need for repairs tends to become more frequent and significant.

So if your heater is older than 15 years old, you may want to consider replacing it. That’s true even if the repair cost is low, because while it might be minor this time, something else is likely to fail in a short time. It doesn’t take long for a series of repairs to get quite expensive.

When Should You Repair Your Heater?

When asking, “Is it worth repairing my heater?” the answer is often “Yes!” if your heating system is under 12 years old and breaks down very infrequently (or never). If that’s the case, you may want to repair your furnace before jumping to replace it.

A skilled heater repair technician from Sunrise Service will be able to diagnose issues and quickly conduct repairs.

Some common issues that can usually be solved with repairs include:

Your Thermostat is Broken

A thermostat that’s broken or has dead batteries may be to blame for your home not heating or cooling. There may be nothing wrong with the furnace itself. This is one of the most common heating repairs in Las Vegas, and is usually very inexpensive to fix. You can call us for help repairing or replacing your thermostat.

You Have Ductwork Problems

Ducts are like the “arteries” of your HVAC system, connecting all the major parts together for complete airflow. Sometimes, heating problems and their symptoms arise from ductwork that is damaged, loose, or dirty.

For example, you might have accidentally poked a hole in a duct while shoving those last Christmas boxes into the attic, allowing warm air to escape the duct instead of reaching your living areas. Or your ducts may be full of dust (often caused by poor-quality air filters) which clogs up the internal components of your furnace, making it less efficient.

Whatever the case, an issue with your ducts may be the culprit to poor heating, not your furnace. The good news is, most duct repairs and duct cleanings are fairly inexpensive compared to a new heater installation. A qualified HVAC repair technician can assess your ducts to see if they’re the actual cause behind what you thought was a broken furnace.

Your Air Filters Are Not Doing Their Job

The purpose of air filters is twofold: (1) to allow air to pass through your HVAC system, and (2) keep out contaminants like dust, pollen, pet hair, etc. If airflow is restricted by clogged filters, your heater can overheat and fail. If gunk gets past the filter, it can stick to the sensitive internal parts of your heater.

In order to accomplish the twofold purpose of air filters, you should use only high-quality filters AND replace them every 1-3 months. If your heater seems to be struggling, check your filters to see if they need to be upgraded/replaced.

Your Heater May Have Failed Internal Components

It’s normal for individual heater components to give out sometime during the heater’s lifespan. This can be due to other related issues or just normal wear and tear, and is more common when heaters get used heavily. Failing starting mechanisms, malfunctions in the heat exchanger, blower fan issues, or problems with the high-temperature safety switch are some of the issues that can occur over time. Such heater parts can often be repaired or replaced by qualified home heating repair technicians.

When is the Best Time to Repair or Replace Your Heating System?

Because heating systems are used more heavily in the winter, they break more often in the winter. At Sunrise Service, we recommend taking care of heating system repairs or heating replacements before the weather gets cold. This ensures that you have a reliable heater to keep your home cozy all winter. It also helps ensure the fastest service. We work hard to handle every service call as quickly as possible, but the wait for service appointments can be longer when it gets hectic.

What Can I Do to Avoid Needing Home Heating Repairs?

At this point, after learning so much about heaters, many homeowners ask what they can do to get the most efficient use from the heater they have, and to minimize as much as possible the need for home heating repairs.

The answer? Maintenance. We cannot stress this enough. Good heater maintenance includes things you can do yourself—like regularly replacing your air filters—and having your furnace tuned up by a qualified furnace repair technician at least once a year.

Properly maintaining your heater can be a breeze by joining an annual maintenance plan, like Sunrise Service’s Annual Discount Club. The hundreds of Las Vegas homeowners in our club enjoy included, comprehensive maintenance visits on their heaters, air conditioners, and water heaters, as well as exclusive discounts on many parts and repair services. By now you’ve leaned how regular maintenance can minimize the risk of breakdowns, extend the life of your equipment, and save you money on your monthly utilities. If that sounds good to you, sign up for your benefits now.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Heater?

The cost of a new furnace in Nevada can vary from home to home. It depends on the make, model, and size of the heater you install. The average runs around $5,000. The most highly optimized models can run higher than that; or if you don’t mind sacrificing a little performance and longevity, there are also less expensive options.

If you need a heater repair or replacement in Las Vegas, our team at Sunrise Service can discuss all options to help you find the perfect heating solution for your home and budget. We believe in transparent and upfront pricing information to make sure you have no surprises and get exactly what you want.

Reliable Heater Repair and Replacement in Las Vegas, NV

Our team at Sunrise Service can help you answer the question, “Should I repair or replace my heater?” Our team of licensed heater repair technicians can service your heating system, provide you with detailed information about the problem, and help you decide the best option to get you enjoying reliable warm air again in your home.

We are proud to have served well over 100,000 homeowners just like you over the past 30 years. We serve all of Las Vegas and Henderson, and we have fast and reliable heater repair services near you. We also offer 24/7 emergency HVAC services, and our work is backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

If you’re looking for heater repair or replacement in Las Vegas, give us a call at (702) 568-5300 or use our easy scheduling form to book your appointment, and we’ll have you enjoying your furnace again in a jiffy!