Searching for unique used items is a fun experience everyone should have at least once in their lives. When it comes to serious investments like that of a new furnace, it’s easy to get shocked by expensive prices. You may be tempted to shop around for a used furnace, thinking you’ll snag a great deal. While that may work if you’re purchasing something smaller like a microwave or even a refrigerator, it’s never a good idea to buy a furnace used. From safety reasons to the potential for a unit that doesn’t function as well as it should, there are a lot of risks involved when buying used HVAC equipment. In this article, we’ll explain the six reasons why you should buy new and not used when shopping for a furnace.
1. No Warranty
Most warranties last a decade, so you might think you’re good if the used furnace you purchase is under this age. However, most warranties state that they apply to the original owner only as well as the original home it was installed in. Purchasing a used model breaks both of these conditions, meaning you’ll have to pay for all repairs and maintenance work completely out of your own pocket. Plus, if you perform the installation yourself, the warranty will be voided anyway. Many technicians are hesitant to repair furnaces that weren’t installed by a licensed professional, so keep this in mind when making your decision.
2. It Might Not Work
When buying any used or refurbished product, there’s never any guarantee your purchase will work when you get it home. Sometimes, a used furnace will appear to work properly, while in reality it’s short-cycling or using more fuel than needed. A used furnace can also increase your utility bills each month. This is particularly common if you buy from riskier places, like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace instead of a reputable company. In cases like these, the extra cost to run the furnace is greater than the extra cost to buy a new unit.
3. Greater Repair Frequency and Risk
When you purchase a new furnace, you’re essentially starting over with a fresh, blank slate. When purchasing used, it’s likely that the machine has already seen a few years of use and incurred some normal, age-related wear and tear. Instead of a few blissful years with a new furnace and no need for repairs, you might need Medcalf Heating & Cooling to fix issues during your first season of use. A used furnace without a warranty can lead to costly repairs.
4. No Professional Installation
Most HVAC providers purchase their equipment directly from the manufacturer. They know the furnaces they install are of the highest quality and have been fully inspected for safety issues and defects. It’s rare to find a provider that will install a model you purchased used. You may be faced with installing a used furnace yourself, which can be a dangerous task if you don’t have prior electrical or heating knowledge. Plus, without a professional there to assist you, you won’t even know if the furnace you’re installing is the proper size for your house.
5. Insurance Issues
Depending on your homeowner’s insurance, installing a used furnace might create issues or raise rates. This is especially true if you or another untrained individual installed the unit, as this can create an explosion or it could have natural gas leak risks that prevent your insurance agent from offering you coverage.
6. Red-Tagging
During routine inspections or repair jobs, licensed HVAC professionals are required by law to report furnaces they deem unsafe. This might be due to leaks, cracks, or human error during installation. Once a furnace has been red-tagged, you have only a short amount of time to repair or replace the unit before your gas service is shut off for safety reasons.
Medcalf Heating & Cooling has been a distinguished provider of HVAC services for residents of Terre Haute since 2015. With service offerings including repairs, installations, and replacements for a range of heating and cooling systems, our technicians are qualified to help you with any HVAC problem. We also offer indoor air quality solutions and a range of water heaters. We’re a family-owned business with a team of NATE-certified technicians who are ready to answer your call. Give us a call today for more information or to schedule an appointment in the Terre Haute area.
