Is It Worth Fixing A Furnace?

Introduction: The Heat is On

Winter in Indianapolis can be brutal, and there’s no room for a furnace failure when temperatures drop below freezing. Imagine this: it’s the coldest night of the year, and your furnace suddenly stops working. Your family is bundled under blankets, shivering, while you scramble to find an emergency furnace repair service. The repair quote comes back high, leaving you to wonder if it’s worth sinking more money into an aging system that might fail again soon.

These moments are where informed decisions matter most. For over 60 years, B&W Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical has helped tens of thousands of customers evaluate their aging furnaces to determine whether repair or replacement is the safer, more cost-effective option for their situation. By understanding the key factors that influence this decision, you can save money, ensure the comfort in your home for you and your family, and avoid unnecessary stress from unexpected or overpriced repairs.

Every household is different, and each decision requires careful consideration of budget, efficiency, and safety. The stakes are even higher during Indianapolis winters, where a properly functioning furnace isn’t merely a convenience but a necessity. In this article, we’ll guide you through the factors that determine whether repairing or replacing your furnace is the right choice for your home, while also shedding light on the benefits of routine maintenance and modern upgrades.

What is the Life Expectancy of a Furnace?

Furnaces, like any other appliance, have a limited lifespan. What is the life expectancy of a furnace? On average, gas furnaces last about 15-20 years, while electric models can run slightly longer, potentially up to 20-30 years if maintained properly. However, performance often declines as units age, leading to higher energy bills, inconsistent heating, and frequent breakdowns. Understanding the life expectancy of a furnace is key to planning and avoiding costly emergencies.

For instance, a 22 year old furnace is likely operating far below its peak efficiency and may be struggling to meet your home’s heating demands. Knowing when to replace versus repair can save you significant money and stress.

Frequent Repairs

If you find yourself regularly repairing your furnace and repair costs are adding up, it’s often a sign that your furnace is reaching the end of its life. Ideally, you should go multiple heating seasons without more than routine maintenance. Frequent breakdowns not only strain your wallet but also disrupt your comfort—especially during the coldest months of the year. For example, one Indianapolis homeowner (not a customer of ours at the time) spent more than $2,500 on repairs over three years, only to realize they could have saved money and been more comfortable the entire time by replacing the furnace earlier.

Inconsistent Heating

Uneven temperatures in your home may indicate inefficiency or aging components. Some rooms might feel like saunas, while others remain icy cold. Poor temperature regulation means your furnace is overworking, which not only increases energy bills but also accelerates wear on its components. Upgrading to a modern system with zone-heating can solve these issues, ensuring every room maintains consistent comfort while reducing energy waste.

Increased Noise or Odors

Strange noises—such as banging or rattling—can signal internal issues in your furnace like loose parts or a failing motor. Similarly, unusual odors may point to problems like burnt wires or dirty burners. Ignoring these signs can lead to further damage or even safety hazards, such as carbon monoxide leaks. A professional inspection can identify whether these issues warrant repair or replacement.

Routine maintenance is the cornerstone of a long-lasting furnace. Regular filter changes, professional inspections, and semi-annual tune-ups can add years to your system’s life. Since 1961, B&W has helped tens of thousands of customers prolong their furnaces’ efficiency by offering comprehensive maintenance plans. 

Semi-annual maintenance isn’t just about longevity—it’s also about peace of mind. A well-maintained furnace runs more efficiently, which lowers energy bills and reduces the likelihood of emergency breakdowns. If your system is nearing the end of its lifespan, these check-ups can also help identify when it’s time to start planning for a replacement rather than being surprised by a sudden furnace breakdown.

Is It Better to Repair or Replace a Furnace?

When your furnace falters, the immediate question everyone asks themselves (and Google) is: should you repair my furnace and hope for the best or simply replace it altogether? This decision often depends on several critical factors, including costs, system age, and efficiency. Understanding the factors that influence whether to repair or replace a furnace can make all the difference in giving the peace of mind of knowing you made the right decision.

Cost Comparison

Minor repairs, such as replacing a thermostat or igniter, can typically cost between $150-$600. However, significant repairs like a cracked heat exchanger or blower motor replacement can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 or more. In contrast, installing a new furnace typically ranges from $4,000-$7,500, depending on the unit’s size and efficiency. While replacement involves a higher upfront cost than repair, a new furnace can save you up to 30-40% on energy bills annually, eventually offsetting the initial expense. Knowing typical furnace repair costs versus furnace replacement costs helps you make a practical choice.

For example, a family with an older furnace that required $800 in annual repairs found it more economical to invest in a new system. Over five years, their energy savings exceeded the replacement cost, and they avoided the stress of repeated service calls and unexpected furnace failures.

Furnace Age and Efficiency

If your furnace is over 10 years old (or certainly over 15 years old), replacement becomes a more viable option—especially if major repairs are needed. Older furnaces often have AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings of 60-80%, compared to modern units that reach up to 98%. This efficiency improvement can significantly reduce your monthly utility bills and decrease your home’s environmental impact.

Modern furnaces also come with advanced features like smart thermostats and zoning capabilities, which enhance comfort and give homeowners greater control over energy use.

Safety and Reliability

A failing furnace can pose safety risks, particularly from carbon monoxide leaks. Replacing an older system ensures your family’s safety and provides peace of mind during Indiana’s harsh winters. Today’s furnaces include built-in safety features, such as automatic shut-off sensors and improved ventilation systems, offering an additional layer of protection.

Is It Worth Fixing a 20-Year-Old Furnace?

Deciding whether to repair or replace a 20-year-old furnace can feel overwhelming. At this age, even minor repairs may not significantly improve efficiency or performance, making replacement the smarter long-term choice. Determining the efficiency of an old furnace compared to today’s high-performance models is key.

Evaluating Efficiency and Costs

Most 20-year-old furnaces operate at an AFUE rating of 78-80%. In contrast, today’s high-efficiency models boast ratings of up to 98%. This leap in efficiency can translate to hundreds of dollars in annual energy savings. If your old system struggles to heat your home evenly or leads to sky-high utility bills, it’s likely time to upgrade. Many homeowners find that fixing a 20-year-old furnace often leads to diminishing returns compared to investing in a new, energy-efficient model.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Repairs on older furnaces often involve higher costs due to the scarcity of compatible parts. Additionally, frequent breakdowns increase overall maintenance expenses. Investing in a replacement furnace eliminates these recurring costs and delivers consistent heating for years to come.

What is the Most Expensive Repair on a Furnace?

Some furnace components are notoriously expensive to repair, making it essential to weigh repair costs against replacement options. Understanding the most expensive furnace repairs can help you prepare for the unexpected.

Heat Exchanger

As a critical component, a cracked heat exchanger can cost anywhere from $1,500-$3,500 to replace. Ignoring this repair isn’t an option, as it poses severe safety risks from carbon monoxide leaks. The furnace component replacement costs for a heat exchanger often lead homeowners to consider replacement.

Blower Motor

Responsible for circulating air, replacing a blower motor can cost anywhere between $800-$2,000. This repair is essential for maintaining proper airflow and system efficiency.

Evaluating Repair Services and Costs

You’ve decided that it’s time to call the pros. You’re still not sure whether you’ll try to repair your furnace or have it replaced altogether, but you start the process by Googling “furnace repair near me.” Dozens of local contractors appear in your search, but how on earth are you supposed to pick the right one of the pile? Who’s going to be honest? Who’s going to be fair in their pricing? Who’s going to know how to diagnose the situation correctly the first time, and who’s going to send an inexperienced technician who’ll spend the first hour of the service call on YouTube trying to figure it out himself for the first time?

Choosing a reliable, experienced service provider you can trust is crucial for ensuring quality repairs and fair pricing. Here’s how to find the best fit when searching for furnace repair near me or evaluating furnace repair cost per hour.

Reliability and Reputation

Look for licensed and insured technicians with a strong local reputation. What do their online reviews say? How many 5-star reviews does the company have? What are the 1-star and 2-star reviews about…and how have those contractors corrected their mistakes in the past? Word-of-mouth recommendations is another valuable tool for assessing reliability. B&W, for instance, has built trust in Indianapolis for over six decades, serving tens of thousands of satisfied customers. Our commitment to excellence and transparency sets us apart from competitors. We’ve built lasting relationships through our dedication to providing honest assessments and high-quality service.

Evaluating an Estimate

Many online forums will staunchly advocate for the need for “transparent pricing” and line-item costs when evaluating a contractor. But after encountering decades of customers who want to pick apart the cost of items throughout the estimate, many contractors choose not to provide breakdowns for their estimates. But this doesn’t necessarily indicate an overpriced estimate. After all, does your favorite restaurant break down the menu pricing for you, separately listing the meat, restaurant overhead, chef’s salary, and annual restaurant license? No – they simply tell you the price, and you may decide to buy or not to buy.

As a homeowner evaluating contractor bids, rather than asking for a complete line-item breakdown of an estimate if it was estimated as a lump-sum quote, here are some tips for understanding your quote and questions to ask the contractor when evaluating an estimate for a furnace repair or replacement:

Questions for Evaluating an Estimate with a Contractor

1. “Can you help me understand what all is included in this estimate?” If you’re getting multiple estimates, you want to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, so ask questions that help you really understand the solution they’re offering.
2. “If this were your home, is there anything on this estimate that you would skip?” On the same note, “Is there anything not on this estimate that you would choose if this were your home?” Sometimes, there are other options a salesman or tech may not have mentioned because they didn’t think you’d be interested. But they do this all day every day…ask them what they’d do in your shoes. You might learn something that helps you make an even better choice!
3. If I were to get estimates from 3 of your competitors, what might I see on their estimates that I don’t see here? (Helpful information you might hear: different components used, different repair strategy, differently-sized equipment, or different rebate options)
4. “Do you handle all the necessary permits, or will I need to obtain them?” Reputable service companies pull the required permits for the work they perform (like replacing furnaces), while a “handyman” might leave you high and dry if the building and code inspector shows up.
5. Don’t ask “how many hours will this take?” Instead, ask “When was the last time you repaired or replaced a problem similar to this one?” The best repair companies have experienced technicians who might be able to repair your furnace in 20 minutes, or replace your entire furnace in a few hours. Large-scale service companies often use cheaper, less-experienced labor, and it might take someone with less experience 2-3 hours to solve the same problem, or take two days to replace a furnace. Should the experienced tech charge less simply because they solved your problem more quickly than a different technician? The point is this: the labor spent performing a task isn’t necessarily a reflection of the quality of the work. So rather than ask “how many hours will this take”, find out when the last time was that they encountered this issue. How they answer that question will tell you volumes about their experience, and that should inform how you value the solution or quote they’re providing.

Affordable Options

Many companies, including B&W, offer maintenance plans and financing options to ease financial strain. These plans can cover routine checks, discounts on repairs, and priority service during emergencies, ensuring both affordability and peace of mind. For instance, B&W’s Premier Club membership provides a 10% discount on all repairs. Customizable furnace service options ensure every homeowner finds a solution that fits their financial needs.

How Can B&W Help Your Family?

At B&W Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical, we’re dedicated to helping you make informed furnace decision making. Whether it’s evaluating repair options, exploring energy-efficient replacements, or scheduling routine maintenance, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. We use a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to ensure you’re making the most practical and economical choice for your home.

Why Choose B&W?

Experience You Can Trust: For over 60 years, we’ve been Indianapolis’s go-to provider for home heating solutions. Our longevity speaks to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Comprehensive Maintenance Plans: Save money and avoid unexpected breakdowns with our tailored maintenance options designed to keep your furnace running efficiently year-round. At $300/yr or $25/mo, our Premier Club Membership costs less than the average furnace repair we perform. That’s peace-of-mind insurance for the price of a cup of coffee a week.

Customer-Centric Approach: We’re committed to helping you make decisions that prioritize your comfort, safety, and budget. Your needs come first.

Flexible Financing: Our financing options make it easier to invest in a new furnace or manage repair costs without added stress.

Local Expertise: Indianapolis winters are unique, and our technicians understand the specific demands of heating systems in this region. From combating freezing temperatures to ensuring year-round efficiency, we’ve got you covered.

Take the Next Step

Contact us today to schedule your furnace evaluation and experience the peace of mind that comes with expert service and support. With B&W Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical, your home’s comfort and efficiency are always in good hands.