Whether it’s a bitter cold February morning or a sweltering August afternoon, your HVAC system’s job is to provide you with perfect comfort inside your home. If your system is struggling to keep the air in your home at the temperature your family prefers, it’s time to decide if you need to repair or replace your HVAC system. We’re here to help you make the best decision about your system, but here are six questions to consider before you give us a call.
1) Is Your System the Right Size for Your Home?
There’s a chance that your system may be either too big or too small for your home, if it isn’t operating effectively. You might be surprised to learn that bigger isn’t always better! If your system is too big for your house, it tends to come on in short bursts that don’t allow for dehumidifying your indoor air. A system that’s too big will also cost you too much to run it.
Factors other than square footage affect the size of the system you need, including the number of windows in your house and the compass direction your house faces.
Our expert technicians can take all these factors into account and determine whether your HVAC system is too big or too small. And if your system happens to be “just right,” there are more questions to consider.
2) Have You Kept Up with Maintenance and Inspections?
It’s possible that your HVAC system itself is fine but just needs a little love. For example, if your filters need to be cleaned or replaced, your system will operate inefficiently because clogged filters restrict the airflow.
We also recommend that you have Arendosh Heating and Cooling come to your home to perform an annual inspection on your system. We can determine if simple fixes like replacing worn down motors or belts will improve your system’s performance. Simple repairs now can help you prevent major breakdowns later.
While we’re there, have us inspect your ductwork. Ductwork in the typical home leaks 30% of its air before it reaches the rooms where you need it! We can replace or seal ductwork to improve your system’s efficiency. Annual inspections will help to extend the overall lifespan of your HVAC system.
3) How Energy Efficient Is Your Current System?
More than half of the energy used in the typical home is for heating and air conditioning. That is, 50% or more of your household energy bill goes toward keeping the air in your home comfortable. Your family’s comfort is important, but you can stay comfortable in your home without overspending to do so.
If your monthly energy bills have been on the rise, it might be due to an inefficient HVAC system. ENERGY STAR® certified equipment ensures your system meets or exceeds federal standards for energy efficiency, so you’re likely to save money on your energy bills by upgrading to a new system.
There may also be additional rebates you can take advantage of for installing ENERGY STAR certified products. Check to see if your current unit is ENERGY STAR qualified, and we can also help you determine whether you’re eligible to receive rebates based on your location.
4) Does Your System Use Outdated Technology?
The HVAC industry rapidly evolved over the last few years. If you have an analogy system, it may still function very well. However, newer, digital systems now offer what can be a cost-saving range of efficiency and communications features. If you replace an older HVAC system, you can benefit from elements of the newer systems, like zoning systems and smart thermostats that allow you to adapt your HVAC usage to your family’s needs and routine. These options not only enhance your comfort, but also increase your system’s efficiency to save you money on utility bills.
5) Do You Know about the $5,000 Rule and How to Apply It?
Okay, we have to do a little math here, but it’s not complicated – we promise! All you have to do is multiply the age of your unit by the repair costs. (You don’t even have to do it by hand and show your work. Grab your calculator!)
If your answer is less than $5,000, repairing your HVAC system is probably the best option. If it’s more than $5,000, you’re likely smarter to replace the system.
However, you might also want to factor in any other times your system required repairs over the past year or so. If your system has required multiple repairs, contact us for help with a return on investment and lifetime cost analysis for a replacement system versus ongoing repairs. We can help you make the best decision!
6) How Old Is Your HVAC System?
Last but not least, the age of your system is always going to be a big factor in determining whether it should be repaired or replaced. On average, air conditioners and heat pumps have a lifespan of 10-12 years, whereas furnaces tend to last a little longer at an average of 15 to 20 years.
If your systems are within those ranges, your best bet is likely replacement over repairs. Replacing one or both components of your system requires a larger investment up front. However, we offer a variety of financing options, as well as seasonal promotions that can lessen the burden on your bank account. When you call us, be sure to ask about our current promotions, or check the savings page on our website for our current offers.
Give Us a Call
It can be stressful to be uncomfortable at home and to make a big decision about your HVAC system, but we’re here to help. Plus, since you’ve read this far and considered the questions you’re armed with the information you need to make a sound choice for your family.
Don’t let your family live uncomfortably! Whether you think you need to repair or replace your HVAC system, contact us today to see how we can improve the air in your home.
