Posted: July 22, 2024

Deciding when another boiler or furnace repair isn’t worth it.

It might seem counterintuitive to think about your home’s heating system while we’re smack dab in the middle of the summer. In truth, this is an excellent time to take stock of your home’s aging boiler or furnace and determine if it might be time for a replacement.

How did your heating equipment do over the last couple of winters? Have you noticed your fuel consumption increasing year after year? Are there cool spots in your home, even though your heating system is running? How often do you find yourself needing to call a Frank Lamparelli service technician because of a mechanical issue?

As time passes, your heating equipment can lose efficiency and experience more problems. Sometimes, it makes more sense to replace it instead of undergoing another repair.

In this article, we’ll go through some ways you can tell if it’s time to replace your boiler or furnace.

How old is your heating system?

With proper maintenance, a heating system can last 15 years or more. As your equipment’s service life extends beyond a decade, it could be time to start thinking about an upgrade.

To find out how old your equipment is, check the metal identification plate on your furnace or boiler to find the serial and model numbers. You can search online with these identifiers to find the manufacture date. You can also contact us, and we’ll help you find out how old the system is.

How much is the next repair going to cost?

If you’ve been experiencing multiple repair visits for your furnace or boiler, it’s worth considering how much money you’re spending for each repair. Look at the cost of your last repair visit. If the repair expense exceeds 50 percent of the cost of new equipment, you should probably replace the system.

Is your heating system safe?

Certain safety-related issues require immediate replacement of your heating system. For example, improper ventilation or a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger could lead to the accumulation of carbon monoxide in your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, highly toxic gas with no odor. Exposure to it can even be fatal. If your heating equipment has an issue that impacts its safety, contact us right away to arrange a replacement.

What’s your heating system’s fuel efficiency?

Both oil- and gas-fired heating systems have become much more efficient in recent years, boasting fuel efficiencies as high as 98.5%! This means virtually every cent of your fuel dollar is going to heating your home, and very little is wasted.

If your current heating system is over 10 years old, its fuel efficiency could have dropped to 60% or lower. As you can imagine, upgrading to a new system that can boost your fuel efficiency by 30% or more will lead to huge — and ongoing — energy savings.

Are you eligible for rebates and tax incentives?

You don’t need to wait to enjoy fantastic savings on high-efficiency heating equipment. Frank Lamparelli can help you qualify for multiple financial incentives when you replace your system. Homeowners in Hanover and elsewhere on the South Shore can receive considerable rebates for heating equipment installations through the Mass Save program. You may also qualify for a federal tax credit for installing ENERGY STAR-rated equipment.

Whether you want to arrange service for your heating equipment or replace your system altogether, the summer is an excellent time to get it done so you’re ready when the cold weather arrives. Contact Frank Lamparelli to request service.