The HVAC System can very well be considered one of the lifelines of a home. It ensures the level of comfort of the whole household, and it keeps everyone warm or cool in relation to the weather outside the home. For this reason, an HVAC Unit can cost a lot, and upgrading it can dent a budget especially if the upgrade expense is unforeseen.
The San Diego HVAC Contractors’ Association says there is a way to find out if an upgrade is immediately needed, or if it is in the offing. It added that careful professional maintenance can avoid premature and costly repairs or upgrades.
The United States Department of Energy through Energy Star has enumerated the several signs that point to a need for a new HVAC System.
“Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old. Consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model. Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. Your cooling or heating equipment may have become less efficient.”
Read the rest of the signs to watch out for here.
Other signs to watch out for
Third-Party Service Ratings Website Angie’s List also came up with a web post on how to determine whether a home HVAC unit needs a repair or a replacement? In their featured post their resource person cited the $5,000 rule.
“Consider the age of your A/C. Age is one of the most important factors to consider when it's time to repair or replace an air conditioner, HVAC technicians say. The 5,000 rule. Multiply the age of the equipment by the repair cost, and if that exceeds $5,000, then replace the unit. If less, go ahead and repair it.”
Check out the other tips here.
It is important that every homeowner has a trusted HVAC technician who regularly comes in for preventive maintenance work. The San Diego HVAC Contractors’ Association says, periodic maintenance inspections prolong HVAC life.