Home Heating System: Repair or Replace?

No one looks forward to replacing a home heating system. It’s a big investment.

Your local oilheating equipment service provider can help you figure out what’s the best solution for your heating system, your home and your wallet.

An ounce of prevention

You can help prolong the life of your home’s oilheat heating system with regular maintenance. This will help prevent problems and keep your system running efficiently. Plus, if your system is still under warranty, you need to show you’ve been maintaining it properly to keep the warranty in effect.

Your oilheat service technician will thoroughly inspect your entire system, from making sure the thermostat is working correctly to inspecting vents, drafts and flues for leaks. He or she can also find problems before they become major repairs, letting your home heating system run better for longer.

Fix it up or make a change?

If the problems with your oilheat home heating system can’t be corrected with minor repairs, you may find yourself wondering if it may be better to “retire” it and buy a new one. Before you make that call, you should answer these questions.

• Is it a safety concern? While oilheat is a remarkably safe home heating option, nothing is 100% risk-free. If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, this will cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home. If your heat exchanger is cracked, this spells the end of your heating system. You have no other option than to invest in a replacement system.
• How old is your system? Once your oilheat home heating system reaches 15 years old, it’s time to start planning for replacement. The average lifespan of an oilheat home heating system is about 20 years, and it’s best to be prepared rather than not.
• How much more efficient will a new system be? Over time, heating systems become less efficient. An older oilheat heating system may be somewhere around 70% efficient, while newer ones tend to be in the mid-80% range. With advances in energy efficiency, it may be best in the long run to upgrade now and start saving on energy costs.
• What’s the cost to repair vs. the cost to replace? If the cost to repair your heating system comes to half the cost of a replacement (or more), it makes economic sense to get a new system.

Current rebates for energy efficient heating systems could save you hundreds of dollars on new equipment – perhaps enough to tip the scales in favor of replacement. Read more.

Read more about an equipment replacement and then reach out to your local South Carolina oilheat company for advice.