Repairing or replacing your heating system during the winter season is never an easy decision. Choosing between purchasing new equipment or saving money with a used alternative is difficult. That’s why it’s important to know the safety issues that both options can provide for you and your family.
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What is Used Heating Equipment?
Used heating equipment is simply furnaces, heat pumps or boilers that have been previously installed in another residence. This will allow you to purchase these units at a cheaper price than you would if they were new. However, there are some things you should know before making your final decision.
Typically, these pieces of equipment have been acquired from renovations, upgrades, or foreclosed homes. Because of this, they can range from only being a few years old to being almost ready for retirement.
Safety Issues with Used Equipment
One of the largest concerns when buying used heating equipment is safety. That is why you should take the time to evaluate these several areas.
Cracks in heat exchangers can be prevalent when looking at used furnaces. Not only can these cause your heating system to break, but they can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. This can create life threatening situations for you and your family. Sometimes you can’t see these issues with the naked eye, which is why having it tested is important.
Older furnaces do not have the automatic shut-off switches and upgraded ventilation systems. This creates a safety issue if your furnace were to malfunction.
Lack of maintenance history is another concern. You will not know if these previous owners changed their filters or took care of annual tune-ups. This can cause you to run into problems that you may not know about until it’s too late.
Wiring issues can be very dangerous as well. This can increase the risk for fire or even damage to your heating system. Make sure to evaluate all wiring, connections and circuit boards.
Benefits of Purchasing Used Equipment
Buying used doesn’t always have to be bad, here are some benefits when you take your time.
The most beneficial part about buying used is the cost. You could save 40-60% when investing in used equipment. If you are trying to save every penny then this can be the difference in what you decide to purchase.
It’s better for the environment. By recycling used equipment that still works, you help reduce landfill waste. You will be able to heat your home much quicker. Most of the time, when ordering new equipment, it can take up to a week to receive your new furnace. You could have your used furnace installed right away.
When it Makes Sense to Buy Used
There are times when buying used equipment makes complete sense.
If you own rental properties, it makes sense to buy used. Landlords can provide adequate heat to their tenants while saving on the initial costs. Since you don’t plan on keeping the property very long, it works perfectly.
Move or temporary homes. If you are moving or plan on selling your home in the near future, you don’t want to break the bank on a new furnace.
Tight budget. If your budget is tight, and buying new is just not an option. Then buying a used furnace that has been inspected is better than not having heat.
Another option is to look into buying a newer used unit. Look for furnaces that are 5-10 years old.
Benefits of New Heating Equipment
Just as there are benefits to buying used, there are benefits to buying new as well.
When you buy new, your equipment will come with manufacturer warranties. The majority of furnaces come with 10-20 years warranties on parts. What this means is, during those years your furnace may have issues but you won’t pay for repairs.
New equipment is energy efficient. Not only will your heating bill be lower, but it uses 15-30% less energy.
New equipment comes with the latest safety features. Some of these features include carbon monoxide detectors and automatic shut-off switches.
You know the history of the new heating equipment. You know how the previous owners took care of the furnace.
You get the latest technology. Newer furnaces have smart thermostats, variable-speed blowers, and even zoned heating.
How to Safely Purchase Used Equipment
If you have decided that buying used equipment is best for you, here are some tips to follow.
- Before you purchase any used equipment, have it inspected by a certified HVAC technician. By doing this, you will eliminate any major concerns that it could cause to your home. During this inspection, make sure they do a combustion analysis, check the heat exchanger, and test the electrical components.
- Know how old the equipment is. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years, and heat pumps are 10-15 years. If you purchase a 12-year-old furnace, you won’t get many more years out of it.
- Ask for maintenance records. When purchasing any used heating system, you should ask the seller for maintenance records. This will tell you how they took care of the equipment and how you can expect the equipment to perform.
- Make sure the equipment is sized correctly for your home. Just because a furnace was in a 3,000 sq ft home doesn’t mean it will work for your 2,000 sq ft home. You want to make sure it’s sized correctly or it can cause many problems.
- Factor in installation costs. When buying used, most of the time you will have to spend more on labor and parts. That is because the HVAC technician will have to ensure that the equipment will safely run in your home.
Buying Second-Hand Heating Equipment: A Real Life Success Story
So just how common is it to buy second-hand heating equipment these days? Well, consider this real-world example from one heating company’s customers:
BMI Furnaces recently published a case study featuring an industrial furnace unit they were able to buy used, inspect, recondition/refurbish, upgrade, and recommission for another customer.
The system in question was originally built in 2018, then sold to a customer that bought it new in 2023 and upgraded with modern features. After inspection and refurbishment, the furnace was returned to “like-new condition” and resulted in over 30% savings when compared to buying new – preventing waste and supporting the circular economy.
Granted, this is an example of an industrial furnace, not a residential heater or furnace you’ll find in your own home. The guys from the Heater Shop mentioned that the concept is still the same — with proper care, buying used can be effective, especially when professional HVAC contractors inspect and refurbish the equipment before installation.
The main thing to remember when buying used heating equipment is the importance of having it professionally inspected and refurbished beforehand. Never try to guess whether a used heater or furnace is safe and functional.
Learn more about this case study here: https://www.bmi-fours.com/2024/06/used-furnace-case-study-b54th-refurbishment/
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying used heating equipment safe?
Used heating equipment can be perfectly safe to purchase and use in your home — but you should always have a heating and cooling professional inspect the unit first. Things like cracked heat exchangers can pose big safety risks. It’s always best to let a trained professional detect these issues before buying used.
What are the risks of buying used heating equipment?
Used heating systems come with the risk of unknown conditions — for instance, older systems may have damaged heat exchangers, unknown maintenance history, or outdated wiring that isn’t safe. They also don’t come with manufacturer warranties. Unknown energy efficiency is another risk.
How much money can I save by buying used?
You can often save 40–60% by buying a heating system second-hand. However, if you end up having to repair or replace parts, require additional labor for installation, or have high operating costs the savings won’t be as high. Consider total cost of ownership rather than purchase price alone.
Should I buy used if the heater is almost old?
It’s better to try to find recently-owned units with good maintenance records when buying used. Older used heaters that are nearly “grandfathered” by minimum efficiency standards could end up costing you more in repairs after purchase if they’re reaching the end of their service lives.
Do used heaters still operate at high efficiency?
New systems offer better energy efficiency than older models. Many used heaters won’t have any modern efficiency features, so while you might save on purchase price, you could end up paying more to heat your home each month. Consider your energy costs as well.
Will HVAC contractors install used systems?
Some HVAC contractors will, while others won’t. You may have trouble finding someone to install your used heating equipment because some technicians simply don’t want to deal with the potential safety risks. Installation costs might even be higher for used equipment.
Does buying new benefit my home’s value?
Yes! When you sell your house, modern HVAC equipment can help. New energy-efficient heating equipment can add value to your home by saving owners money on energy bills, improving comfort, and providing the newest safety features. Buying used offers no such benefits.
What should I do before buying used heating equipment?
If you’ve found an used heating system that interests you, be sure to: Have it professionally inspected (including combustion analysis, heat exchanger integrity test, and electrical safety), check the age of the unit, ask for maintenance records if possible, ensure the equipment is properly sized for your home, and account for installation costs.
Final Words
Purchasing used can be a great way to save money, as long as you do your homework. By having a professional inspection, you can ensure there will be no hidden issues. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because your furnace works now, it will continue to work down the road.
New equipment is a great option if you’re able to stomach the initial costs. Not only will you save you money on monthly heating bills, but you know you won’t have to worry about replacing your equipment any time soon.
No matter what you decide, you want to make sure your family stays safe during the heating season. Don’t take any shortcuts when it comes to heating your home. Whether you decide to buy used, or new, have a licensed HVAC technician inspect the equipment.
