A 27-year-old furnace that refused to light one day was running again after a technician checked it, but the experience was still disconcerting. The homeowner began wondering whether they should replace it on their own timeline or risk a much pricier breakdown later.
Here's what to know
In Reddit's r/homeowners, the homeowner said a local repairman they trust got their gas furnace working again but still recommended a replacement, as the unit was "extremely rusty basically everywhere" and there was no reliable way to know how much longer it would work.
There were also unusual startup sounds and "occasional squeaks and squeals from motors."
For homeowners in similar situations, upgrading heating and cooling can be one of the best ways to save money on utility bills and protect against rising energy prices. Palmetto can help homeowners understand their options and lower energy bills with newer, more efficient HVAC systems and heat pumps, and its Comfort Plan network can connect you with vetted installers.
In this case, the homeowner said they were quoted roughly $4,000 for a replacement, and they were seriously weighing it. They described the technician as "a locally and family-known local dude who's always been incredibly honest and helpful."
Additionally, they noted, "It would be cheaper and more convenient to replace it now, when we can go a day or two without heat while the install happens." They worried that a December failure during single-digit weather could put pipes at risk of freezing or bursting.
What can be done?
If your furnace is in its final days but you aren't ready to pay up front, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0-down options that can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Palmetto Comfort Plans also include 12 years of free maintenance, which could make a planned upgrade easier to compare with repeated repair bills on a heavily worn system.
Financing can change the math, too. One commenter said their HVAC company offered 24 months of interest-free financing. Over the longer term, homeowners can pair solar panels with electric appliances, including efficient HVACs, to drive utility costs even lower, and EnergySage makes it easy to compare solar options, find the best solar system and installer for a home and budget, and save up to $10,000 on installations.
Crushed by your bills? See instant solar savings from vetted installers in just a few clicks With energy prices through the roof, there's never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area. EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy. |
For commenters, the signs pointed to a cut-and-dried solution.
"A rusty furnace making weird noises is basically a ticking clock and you already got lucky it fired back up this time," one said.
"You've seen the rust yourself and basically justified why it would be wiser to replace it now. You don't need validation from Reddit but here we are," another remarked.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
