When your furnace breaks down, the big question is whether to fix it or replace it. There is no single rule, but these factors will help you make the right call for your home.
1. How Old Is Your Furnace?
Most gas furnaces last about 15 to 20 years. If yours is in that range and needs a major repair, replacement is often the better long-term value. A younger furnace with a simple repair is usually worth fixing.
2. How Often Has It Needed Repairs?
One repair in several years is normal. Repeated breakdowns in the last couple of winters usually mean more are coming.
3. Compare the Repair Cost to the Value
A common rule of thumb is to multiply the furnace’s age by the repair cost. If the result is well above the cost of a new system, replacement usually makes more sense. Your technician can walk you through the numbers for your specific system.
4. Comfort and Energy Use
Uneven temperatures, rising gas bills and a noisy system are signs your furnace is losing efficiency. Today’s high-efficiency furnaces convert up to about 95 to 98 percent of their fuel into heat.
5. Consider a Heat Pump
If you are replacing anyway, a cold climate heat pump paired with a furnace can lower energy use and may qualify for rebates. Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program offers up to $7,500 for homes heated by electricity, oil, propane or wood, and the new federal rebate may add more. See current rebates.
Current Offer
Save $1,000 on a qualifying new Lennox furnace until December 1, 2026. Prefer one monthly payment? You can pay monthly using NGL. See specials.
Get an Honest Recommendation
Our technicians will tell you plainly whether a repair makes sense or whether a new furnace will save you more.
Comfort Zone has served Cobourg and Northumberland County since 2005. Get a free quote or call 289-205-3815.
Wondering what a new furnace will cost? Read Furnace Replacement Cost in Ontario: What Really Drives the Price.