Should I Repair or Replace My Heat Pump In My Salem Home?
Heat pumps are a reliable and efficient home comfort solution, but like all mechanical systems, they can face issues as they age. Deciding whether to replace or repair your heat pump in Salem, Oregon, can be challenging.
To help, our team has put together this quick guide to help you make the best decision for your home.
When to Consider Replacement:
Repair Costs: If the repair costs are too high, especially for major components like compressors or heat exchangers, replacement might be more cost-effective.
Frequent Repairs: Repeated repairs indicate your system is nearing the end of its lifespan. Rather than dealing with constant issues, replacing the heat pump may save you money and hassle in the long run.
Refrigerant Leaks: Leaking refrigerant stresses your system and increases energy costs. A significant refrigerant issue can often justify replacing the unit due to the costs and overall lack of efficiency in a system that leaks.
Out of Warranty: If your system is no longer under warranty and begins to have problems, investing in a new heat pump can offer peace of mind with new warranties and provide you with long-term cost savings.
Age of the System: Heat pumps typically last 15-20 years. If your system is within this age range and is starting to fail, it may be time to consider replacement.
When to Choose Repairing A Unit:
If your heat pump is relatively new and the issue is minor, such as a thermostat problem or a minor airflow issue, repair is often the better choice.
For issues not involving major components or refrigerant, repair can extend the life of your system and delay the need for replacement.
Get Heat Pump Repair in Salem, Oregon
As a family-owned business with over 30 years of experience in the Salem area, we have built a reputation for reliability and expert service. Our team of highly trained technicians is dedicated to providing honest assessments and solutions tailored to each customer’s needs. With a focus on energy efficiency and long-term savings, Melton’s offers not just service, but peace of mind, ensuring your home is comfortable and your HVAC systems are running smoothly.
Not sure which option is best for you? Our HVAC experts at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning are here to help. Contact us today to explore your options for heat pump repair or replacement, and more.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Replace My Furnace?
A good furnace could potentially last up to 20 years or more, but sooner or later, it’s going to need to be replaced. New furnace sales are expensive, so you’re going to want to try to get the best deal possible on the appliance and labor.
There are several ways to reduce the cost, but one of the best ways is something many people overlook: timing. As long as your current furnace is still working well enough, you could potentially have it replaced any time during the year. So when would be the best time to call a furnace sales shop for an upgrade?
Let’s take a look.
I. Seasons and Furnace Sales
Supply and demand in the furnace industry are heavily influenced by the seasons and weather, in two big ways.
1 – Demand on repair crews
People are running their furnaces hardest during the winter, and that’s when a flaky furnace is most likely to fail. So furnace repair shops are going to be high demand in the winter – and the colder it is, the busier they’re going to be.
So it’s very common for furnace companies to have higher labor prices in the winter, due to basic market forces. Also, they may simply be swamped with work. You could end up waiting for days or weeks for a service call, if you want a new furnace in the middle of the winter.
2 – Manufacturing trends
Furnace manufacturers are also well aware that demand for furnaces tends to change over the course of the year, and set their manufacturing targets to match. So there are fewer furnaces available in the summer than in the fall, for example. However, this tendency can also create shortages. If there’s a particularly harsh winter, furnace sales outlets may find themselves running low on stock before the winter is done.
So more than anything else, the biggest takeaway here is that you should never replace your furnace during the winter if you can possibly avoid it. Prices and availability will both be unfavorable to you.
Generally speaking, it’s in the late spring or early summer.
By late spring, when everything has thawed, demand for furnace services will go way down – especially as all the backlogged service calls and installations from the winter get sorted out. Likewise, at this time of year, most homeowners aren’t thinking about their furnace. They’re thinking about whatever other repairs or improvements are needed for the summer.
So, calls for furnace repairs and installations will be at their lowest around this time. Many furnace companies even tend to run extra deals and specials, especially if they have overstock from the last season. It’s not guaranteed, but you can usually get a better deal on a new furnace in late spring than any other time of year.
However, don’t wait too long. By late summer, people may already be looking ahead to the winter. And autumn is peak time for proactive owners to do repairs and upgrades before cold weather hits, which will cause prices to start going up.
All things being equal, late spring is the best time for furnace upgrades.
III. Other Benefits to Off-Season Furnace Upgrades
Beyond prices, there are a couple other reasons you want to look into furnace sales during the off-season.
1 – More time to consider
You don’t want to get into fall, realize you need a new furnace, and have to scramble to get it installed before freezing weather hits. Furnaces are expensive long-term purchases, and you definitely want to do as much research as possible before buying.
In particular, do you want to stick to your current style of furnace, or upgrade to a new technology like heat pumps? This is a complicated question, and you want plenty of time to research it before committing to a major purchase.
2 – Better customer service
Any good furnace sales shop is going to want to give great service to every customer, year-round. However, the reality is that that they have limited staff. If the store is swamped with service calls in the autumn and winter, they’re simply not going to have as many resources available to help you.
So calling in the off-season means that they’ll be able to dedicate more time and energy to getting your business. They’ll be able to spend more time consulting with you, and looking at your current setup, so they can recommend the best option for your home. You could easily end up with a better heating solution in the spring than in the fall, thanks to the extra attention.
IV. Is it Time to Upgrade Your Furnace?
If you’re on the fence about whether this year is the right year to upgrade, here are a few other factors to consider.
1 – The age of your current furnace
As mentioned above, a properly-installed and well-maintained furnace should be expected to last at least 15 years, and electric furnaces tend to last longer than gas-burners. But once they start approaching 20 years, they’ll probably start breaking down more often. Upgrading could be more cost-effective than more furnace repairs.
2 – Repair frequency
You should go multiple years without having do to major work on your furnace. If you need repairs every year, it’s time to start thinking about upgrading. And if your furnace needs multiple repairs per year, it’s on its last legs and it’s definitely time for a new furnace.
3 – Energy efficiency
Modern furnaces are far more energy-efficient than models from even ten years ago. If your power bill is too high and you’re thinking long-term, a new furnace or heat pump could end up saving money in the long run through lower power usage.
Melton Heating & Air Conditioning is the best source in Salem, OR, for furnace sales, repairs, and upgrades. If you’re thinking it’s time for new furnace, contact us for top-quality service and support.
A properly-installed and well-maintained furnace should be able to last many years before failing, usually around 15-20. However, accidents can happen, and even reliable furnaces can have a sudden breakdown. If this happens in the winter, it’s important to know what to do, because a house without heating can become dangerous.
The first thing you should do is call for a heating furnace repair service, and hope they can get there as soon as possible. Here are some tips for dealing with broken heat in the winter.
Keeping Warm When Your Heat Goes Out
1 – Block cold air flow
If your heat goes out, try to preserve what heat is in the house. Close the blinds, and if possible, drape blankets over the windows and doors to add insulation. If you have drafty spots, such as the bottoms of doors, push towels into the cracks to prevent cold air from getting in.
2 – Use alternative heaters
If you have space heaters, or a fireplace, you’ll be in decent shape. These can keep you warm in a pinch, at least warm enough that there’s no health danger. However, be aware that space heaters can use a lot of power. Be careful not to overload your outlets or circuit breaker. The last thing you want is the power going out alongside the furnace outage.
If you don’t have those, heating pads or heated blankets can also be valuable sources of warmth.
3 – Run hot appliances
This is a stopgap and wastes a lot of energy, appliances such as your oven or clothes washer can generate quite a bit of heat. Spending a day with your family huddled around the oven or stove isn’t much fun, but it’s better than being freezing cold.
One warning: do not do this with a gas-powered oven. This can lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide getting into your home. The same is true of any other gas-powered appliances, such as grills. However, it’s safe with electric or wood-fired appliances.
4 – Protect your pipes
People often forget about the possibility of pipes freezing when the heat goes out, but it’s a serious concern. If the pipes freeze, they could burst, and only add to your problems.
So while you wait for the heating furnace repair crew to arrive, open up all the cabinets and other doors leading to exposed pipes, such as under the sink. If you have a space space heater, keep it running near vulnerable pipes. Also, turn on all the faucets so that they’re dripping just a little. The flowing water is harder to freeze.
If your heat goes out in the winter, it can be dangerous, so don’t wait to call for furnace repair. Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning provides excellent affordable furnace repair and replacement services across the Salem, OR area. Whenever you need help with your heating, just give us a call and we’ll be there ASAP.
