A furnace requiring replacement may lead to what financial impact?

When a furnace requires replacement, the financial impact is often felt through increased repair expenses. As furnaces age, they tend to experience more frequent breakdowns and require more repairs to operate efficiently. The costs associated with these repairs can add up significantly over time, creating a financial burden for the homeowner.

In contrast, decreased energy bills typically come with modern, high-efficiency furnaces rather than aging units, which may actually be consuming more energy. While a new furnace can lead to higher resale value due to improved efficiency and reliability, existing, troubled systems do not offer that advantage. Similarly, lower efficiency rates are indicative of older furnaces, which underscores the need for replacement rather than suggesting a financial benefit. Therefore, recognizing that sustained maintenance and repair expenses are a clear financial impact of an aging furnace reinforces why increased repair expenses is the correct choice in this scenario.