California Homeowners: Can You Delay Getting A New Furnace?

When your furnace busts in the middle of the winter, you might think you need to immediately call your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professional. But in mild climates like California, you might be able to delay a replacement until warmer days—literally.

Replacing your furnace in the middle of winter can cost a fortune, simply because HVAC companies need to pay employees overtime to keep up with the surge of furnace repairs and replacements. If you think you can make it until spring, there are some advantages.

Here is what you should keep in mind.

How to Warm Your Home Without a Furnace

If your furnace has taken a turn for the worst, you need to ensure your home stays warm enough to prevent your pipes from freezing or bursting. If you don’t have properly insulated plumbing or see very cold temperatures on the horizon, it is time to call a professional and replace that furnace.

But, if you are nearing the end of the chilly season and can battle the cold with a few strategically placed space heaters, you can save a ton. Remember to have plenty of extension cords with proper load bearing capacity.

Another option in late winter is to invest in a hotel for a week. You might be able to take the money you’d pay on surge pricing and enjoy a getaway with your family. Consult your local HVAC professional to compare pricing and availability. Additionally, you can ask them to inspect your furnace first, and perhaps they can extend the lifetime with a few handy fixes to hold you over to spring.

Upgrading Your Heating System

If you’ve decided to delay getting a new furnace, it is wise to take the money you saved and apply it toward a better heating system. Consider a gas furnace with a high fuel-efficiency rating or an air-source heat pump system.

You might even consider a geothermal heat pump or photovoltaic energy system. These can run $10,000 or more than your traditional furnace, but you will save on energy costs and may even receive a $2,000 or more tax break. Your local HVAC professional can help you weigh your options.

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