An aging furnace often costs more money than it’s worth. You may have already noticed your energy bills climbing higher. Or you might have shelled out cash for a few extra service calls in recent years. At some point, another repair might cost more than getting a new furnace installed in your Downers Grove home.
Offering both residential and commercial services, Kats Heating & Cooling is here to help. We bring more than 30 years of experience to the table. Pairing affordable, upfront pricing with prompt, professional service has been the secret to our success. So if you’re furnace is acting up again, give us a call today at 708-710-6719 to schedule a free in-home estimate.
Should I Repair or Replace My Furnace?
Choosing between a new furnace installation for your Downers Grove, IL home and an expensive repair can be challenging. The most important factors to consider are safety, the age of your unit, and the cost of repairs. One other detail to consider is the cost of your monthly heating bill.
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Safety
A furnace replacement should be an easy choice if your existing heating system poses safety risks. Certain failures can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your home, which is a serious concern. And in such cases, a replacement is almost always the right choice.
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Costs
Outside safety concerns, deciding whether to get a new furnace installed generally boils down to costs. Modern furnaces can be upwards of 40% more energy efficient than older models. So by replacing your furnace, you might cut your monthly heating bill almost in half!
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Furnace Age
If you’re considering a furnace repair, make sure to factor in the age of the unit and the cost of the repair. Older models are more likely to require additional repairs in the not-too-distant future. So, if your model is more than 15 years old, we generally recommend replacing it. Otherwise, you may be facing a similar problem next year, or even later this winter.
Ultimately, you’ll need to decide whether paying for a new furnace is more palatable than hassling with the unreliable and inefficient model you have. But we’re always happy to share our experiences with similar issues. And we’ll offer our professional opinion about the best course of action for your needs and budget.
Types of Furnaces
If you’re ready to replace your furnace, we can help you find the perfect model for your Downers Grove home. The choice boils down to two main variables: fuel and efficiency.
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Fuel: Gas or Electric
In most cases, you’ll probably want to install a furnace that uses the same type of fuel as your existing heater. Gas furnaces are typically more efficient than electric models. Electric furnaces tend to be smaller and slightly less expensive to install, but they’re also less efficient.
Generally, it doesn’t make sense to change from electric to gas or vice versa. The cost of running a gas line to your furnace will offset much of the savings you’ll enjoy from the more efficient fuel. And the cost of electricity will offset the savings you’ll enjoy from switching to an electric model.
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Efficiency: Single-Stage, Two-Stage, and Modulating Furnaces
Single-stage furnaces run full blast or not at all. As the name suggests, two-stage furnaces have two settings, high and low. This allows them to distribute heat more evenly and efficiently throughout your home. Modulating furnaces provide even greater efficiency by adjusting their heat output in small increments.
As you might expect, single-stage furnaces cost less than two-stage models, which cost less than modulating ones. The improved efficiency of the pricier models helps offset their higher costs. And, the variability of the two-stage and modulating furnaces provides more consistent temperatures throughout your home.
These simple distinctions should make it fairly easy to decide which furnace is right for your home or business. Feel free to give us a call at 708-710-6719 if you have any questions or want to schedule a furnace replacement in Downers Grove or the surrounding areas. If you’re looking for the most efficient, eco-friendly heating option, be sure to ask about heat pumps.
Call Kats for Affordable, Professional Furnace Installations
At Kat’s Heating and Cooling, we’re proud to be an HVAC company you can depend on. Installing a new furnace in your home is a major investment. So we take our role in guiding you through that process seriously.
Whether you have questions about the process or need advice about repairing vs replacing your furnace, don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can also schedule a free in-home consultation right here on our site. We love helping our friends and neighbors in and around Downers Grove by doing what we do best: keeping their homes and businesses comfortable.
