HVAC repair or replace?

[Jonathan G.]

 We had one of our rental properties HVAC go out this weekend. Basically a fan motor froze up but the heat exchanger is also bad. An inspection of the other unit showed the same heat exchanger issue. Basically to get both heat exchangers replaced ( Labor cost only as the heat exchangers are still under the 20 year  manufacture warranty )and the broken unit up and running would be just under $2000 ($1887 to be exact) Both units are 16 years old. A reputable heating and air company has a special now to replace both units entirely including all heating and air components for just under $7500 (7352.57) we are holding onto the properties long term. 

[Thomas S.]

I would repair. They may last another 16 years.

The advice from my friends in the industry is that as long as it can be repaired there is no reason to replace. The furnace in my own home is 30 years old gas and I have over the years replaced many/most of the parts myself at a very affordable cost compared to replacement.

Furnaces keep going like the energiser bunny if you do the repairs. There are not very many working parts and most are not that expensive. The exchanger is one that will last a long time.

In addition a major part of replacement is the labour cost not the furnace itself. I have replaced several furnaces myself but don't tell anybody the trades say it is way beyond the scope of a layman.