As a homeowner, one of the toughest decisions you’ll have to make about your air conditioner and heater is when it’s time for a new unit. So how are you supposed to know when it’s time to replace part or your entire HVAC system?
Luckily, there are professionals who have the insight and knowledge to make sure you’re making the correct decision for your home. The folks at Abacus Plumbing are here to answer all your questions.
Energy And Cost Savings:
If your system is more than 10 years old, a great deal of energy can be saved by upgrading to a newer, more efficient system. Depending on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), upgrading could save you 20% to 40% on heating and cooling costs. If your home has a furnace, answering the repair vs. replacement question is easy. According to Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings, which is a measure of furnace efficiency, systems from the 1970′s offer AFUE ratings of about 65%. Newer models offer near total efficiency of 97%. That adds up to a lot of energy and lower utility bills.
Tax Incentives:In addition to energy savings that add up over the lifetime of your new system, tax credits and incentives are available, which could save you up to 30% of the cost of a new HVAC system. Look for the ENERGY STAR label for your best options.
Warranty:Newer units come with a warranty, which helps you save on repair costs when any problems occur.
Environmental Benefits:The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated the phase-out of R-22 refrigerant by 2020 to protect the environment. Upgrading to an R-410A system not only helps the environment, but also helps you avoid the high costs of repairing an older system as R-22 becomes increasingly unavailable.
Comfort & Air Quality:Newer systems do a better job of controlling temperature and humidity in your home, which reduces mold and mildew growth, improving both comfort and indoor air quality.
Convenience:Newer systems need fewer repairs. So, you won’t be wasting your time waiting for repairs to be completed.