Should You Replace Your Oil Furnace?
Knowing the right time to replace your old oil furnace is important, both for your pocketbook and for your family's health.
Is Fuel Delivery Becoming a Challenge?
One of the biggest aspects of having an oil furnace is ordering fuel and coordinating its delivery every year. It can be a challenge to hunt down the best oil prices and lock them in, especially since you usually have to do this in the summer months well ahead of the heating season.
Further, one must also plan for each fuel delivery. This may mean spending extra time and effort on snow and ice removal so the fuel truck can pull up near the tank and access the fuel tube. If your deliveries are on an irregular schedule, you may not be prepared, which means rushing out to get ready when the truck is on its way. Overall, oil furnaces can sometimes be an inconvenience. As such, it may be time to switch over to a more convenient option, like electric or natural gas.
Has Your Family Experienced Any Related Health Concerns?
Oil furnaces can become a health danger as they age. The culprit is leaking fumes, namely carbon monoxide. Chances are you have a carbon monoxide sensor near the furnace. If it goes off, there are definite issues that mean that the furnace is no longer safe to operate.
If you don't have an alarm or if it is malfunctioning, there are physical symptoms that should raise concerns about the furnace. If you and other residents of the home are experiencing frequent headaches, nausea, or flu-like symptoms without any underlying illness or obvious cause, then the problem may very well be with your oil furnace. At a bare minimum, have it checked out by a repair tech. However, it may be best to play it safe and have it replaced.
Is Age or Frequent Repairs an Issue?
An oil furnace should last at least a decade, with a well-maintained model often lasting twice that. If your furnace is getting older, it may make more sense to install a new furnace rather than simply get by with the old model. This is especially true if your older furnace is not as energy efficient as newer models.
Another sign that it's time to replace the furnace is if you are having to call for frequent repairs. Although your furnace should be inspected and tuned up annually, repairs shouldn't be an annual issue.
Contact a furnace replacement company for more information.