Signs that it's time to replace your HVAC system Your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old. Repairing costs more than half the cost of a new air conditioner. You can't keep your home at a comfortable temperature. You've noticed more dust all over your house.
Do I need to repair or replace my heating, ventilation and air conditioning system? It's a common question and you have to weigh several factors to make the decision. One of the most important factors is the lifespan of your unit. According to U.S. EnergyStar.
UU. Environmental Protection Agency Voluntary Program and A, C. The unit lasts between 15 and 20 years. On average, a heat pump lasts 16 years and an oven operates between 15 and 20 years, This Old House reports.
Next, consider how old your unit is. Remember, as we mentioned before, that the average life of an oven is about 15 to 20 years. In some cases, during the installation process, your licensed and trained technician will write down the installation date directly on the unit. Otherwise, you can check the inside of the camera door if there is a metal nameplate with the serial and model numbers.
You can then call the manufacturer's customer service line and request the date the unit was manufactured. If your unit is more than 20 years old, it doesn't necessarily mean it's time to dispose of it. The published HVAC life expectancy dates are only average, meaning that half of all units sell out before that date, while the other half is still operating efficiently. So, while these numbers are averages, they're not set in stone.
Once again, as with home heating, consider how old your air conditioner is. When it comes time to make the decision to repair or replace your air conditioning unit, age is an important factor. EnergyStar recommends replacing your air conditioning unit every 10 to 15 years. The federal government is phasing out freon to conserve energy across the country.
Because of this, the costs of freon are increasing significantly. If your air conditioning unit uses freon, you will eventually have to replace it to make the switch to the new R410A refrigerant. This is most likely a good time to consider replacing it if the unit is breaking down or has problems related to the need for more freon. If you can't decide if you should repair or replace your current unit and it's more than 10 years old, buying a new unit might be a better investment.
Air conditioning units will undoubtedly need repairs from time to time. However, if your system requires ongoing repairs, these may cost more than installing a new unit, so investing in a new unit is the best option. You can expect the efficiency of your system to decrease by 5 to 10% as you age, Hughes added. However, if you see an increase in your energy bills, it's worth asking a technician to take a look at your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to see if there are any problems.
If it requires extensive repairs, it's best that you invest in a complete replacement to maximize the efficiency of your home. HVAC systems lose their ability to respond to commands and operate optimally as they age. At 15 years old, your HVAC won't have the power needed to respond to thermostat commands instantly. Remember that the longer it takes for the system to detect and respond to commands, the longer it will take for the room to heat up or cool down to the levels you prefer.
And because the system takes longer to heat and cool your home, the more energy you'll need. Higher energy consumption translates into higher electricity bills. HVAC systems that are more than 15 years old are expensive and inefficient, and are not a good investment. So, as your HVAC system reaches that age, you'll have to start thinking about buying a replacement.
However, some brands and types of HVAC systems can operate efficiently even in your 20s. Watch out for signs of aging, such as periodic repairs, rising energy bills, and unstable system performance. When deciding whether to repair or replace an air conditioning unit, there are a few factors to consider, such as the age of the unit, its performance and efficiency, and the cost of any required repairs. Before investing in a new HVAC unit, you may want to check your home and HVAC unit for costly air leaks.
The robust construction of HVAC systems allows them to last several decades, as long as you perform repairs promptly and never skip scheduled maintenance. All of these problems can be repaired, but if they persist even after repairs and replacement of parts, you'll need to replace your HVAC system. It's inevitable that every homeowner will find themselves choosing between repairing or replacing their HVAC system. However, no matter how much preventive maintenance you dedicate to your HVAC system, there comes a time when repairs are no longer sufficient and it's time to replace it.
If you're wondering if your HVAC system needs to be replaced, a cost-benefit analysis can help you decide if repairing your old unit is as economical as simply replacing the unit completely. The more often your HVAC system gets repaired for different problems, the more likely it is to fail. If you've called an accredited local HVAC contractor to evaluate your air conditioning unit, you'll need to weigh the cost of any repairs compared to the age and energy efficiency of the unit. However, if you schedule a repair service to repair your system, but it's still behaving the same way, start thinking about investing in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
In addition, if you need new equipment, you can lease a new high-efficiency HVAC system through the Service Experts' Advantage Program, which includes all maintenance, repairs and parts at no additional cost. .
