A red-tagged furnace is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, particularly when it happens in the dead of winter. Not only will you have an expensive repair bill or the cost of replacing your furnace to swallow, but you also could be without heat for an extended period while you solve the problem. According to law, utility companies must disconnect red-tagged furnaces from their fuel supply or power source, and cannot reconnect them until the necessary repairs have been made or the units have been replaced.
There are numerous reasons that a utility-company representative or HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) technician will apply a red tag to a furnace, but unsafe carbon monoxide emissions, especially those caused by cracked heat exchangers, is the most common. While you are entitled to seek a second opinion if your furnace has been shut down, you may be better off investing that precious time and money into deciding what to do. Many homeowners make expensive mistakes when faced with time-sensitive problems like this, so it’s vital to have the information that you need to make the right decision. Here are three tips to help you make a sound decision if you have a red-tagged furnace:
- First, get an accurate estimate for the repair costs. This also may require that you get a second opinion, but if you know what the problem is, you can call around to various HVAC companies, and compare their repair quotes.
- Next, determine how much it would cost you to replace the red-tagged furnace rather than fix it. This is a viable option if you have a cracked heat exchanger, which can costs thousands to fix. It may be more worthwhile to invest that money in a new furnace, which will likely offer superior energy efficiency, and which will have a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty that guarantees years of solid performance.
- Last, don’t make the mistake of looking only at the bottom line. While it may cost you less to fix your furnace than replace it, consider the age of your furnace. Most furnaces last between 15 and 20 years, so consider how much longer yours may last, even if it runs perfectly after the repairs. You also should consider how much it costs to operate, and how much you might save if you had a more efficient model.
If you have a red-tagged furnace and need advice, or if you’d like to get a repair or replacement quote, contact the professionals here at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been helping residential and commercial customers in the Twin Cities area for more than 37 years, and look forward to helping you, too.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about red-tagged furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!