It’s a sad day when you must finally admit that it may be the end of your trusty old heating system.

Whether you’ve had it forever, or it’s just begun to break down, you might be wondering what the next step is. You’ve got a ton of questions; do you try and repair it? Is it time for a replacement? Which is cheaper? And while you mull all these confusing details over in your mind, you’re stuck in a cold house with weeks still left of this snowy, cold season.

Well no need to worry, Northern Virginia, we’ve got some quick facts that might help you narrow down what you need in your home!

When considering your options regarding what decision to make for your heat, there are three factors to consider:

1. Life Expectancy of Your Current System
When making repair or replacement choices, the first thing you should take into account is the age of your system. When your heating unit breaks down in the dead of winter, you may be tempted to find the immediate, and less expensive, repair route. However, this is not always your best option. When your equipment begins to show its age, it’s very likely that repairs will be frequent and could actually end up costing you more than a simple replacement would. Consider that replacement might more cost effective in the long-run.

2. Cost of Operation
Let’s face it, the older your equipment is, the less efficient it becomes. Technology has made some huge advancements in the energy department, and even a system as new as six-years could be considered highly inefficient by today’s system standards. Repairing your equipment could fix the immediate problem, but it doesn’t create more energy efficiency. Consider factoring that into the overall cost of the replacement. Installing a new heating system can actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.

3. Take a Look at the Big Picture
We know, money is often tight, and addressing only the broken down part can seem tempting, but making sure that all of the components of your system are working effectively and efficiently is important. You need your heating system to be reliable in the long-run. Maintenance can help with that! For example, if you replace your furnace with a high efficiency model, but continue using your old thermostat, you’re missing out on key elements of your efficient furnace. Remember when you bought your child a toy only to realize that it has mandatory accessories that are sold separately, accessories that really MAKE the toy desirable? Well, that’s what we mean. Upgrading several components at the same time can help with your heating system’s repair or replacement efficiency.

As always, we encourage you to seek the advice of our service professionals. They’ll be able to give you tips and options on how you can best utilize your home energy, as well as help you figure out whether a repair or a replacement is right for you. You can always contact us, and remember, “Absolutely the Best” service is only a call away!