Is it time to repair or replace your HVAC unit? If you’re like most people, you probably shudder at the thought of having to completely replace your entire HVAC system. Afterall, it is a big investment, so it’s definitely worth considering all of your options before you jump into replacing your unit. Diagnosing your HVAC system yourself is practically impossible and knowing whether something is normal, can be fixed with repair or needs to be completely replaced is best left up to the experts.
If you’re wondering whether or not your system is still running optimally, our team can help identify if there’s anything wrong and whether it just needs a quick fix or you’d be better off with a complete replacement.
Before we get into what to consider when debating replacing or repairing your HVAC unit, let’s first go over some of the signs that your HVAC unit may be in need of something in the first place.
Underperforming – If your HVAC unit doesn’t seem to be working as well as it once was, it might be in need of some attention. In the South, this type of problem is usually most noticeable in the hot Summer months, but you might notice a difference in your unit’s performance during colder months too. Lack of air flow from your vents can be a major indicator that something might be wrong.
Strange noises – Is your house haunted or is it just your HVAC unit? If you find yourself wondering this, then it might be a sign your HVAC unit may be in need of some repairs. If your unit all of a sudden starts making strange noises, such as grating, squealing or grinding, that may need to be looked into.
Keep in mind, these are just two of the most common indicators that something may be wrong with your HVAC unit. Whenever you notice your system doesn’t seem to be working as well as it did before, or it’s making strange noises, it’s better to be safe than sorry and have it checked out.
So once you know something is wrong with your HVAC unit, how should you decide whether a repair will do the trick or the entire unit is better off being replaced? Here are some things to consider:
Age of Your System – With proper maintenance, most HVAC units will last you for about 15 to 20 years. Keep in mind though, that this is when a proper maintenance schedule is adhered to perfectly, which unfortunately, isn’t all that common. Most homeowners’ HVAC units will probably last on the lower end of that spectrum, but this is still a helpful factor to keep in mind when faced with HVAC problems. If your unit is having issues and is over 10 years old, then you’re likely better off just investing in a new one. Opting to do a temporary fix and have it repaired will likely only prolong the inevitable and end up costing you more money in the long run. Investing in a new system on the other hand will ensure you a comfortable home for years to come.
Cost – Having an HVAC unit that’s seen better days can be stressful enough, but when deciding whether to repair or replace your unit, cost is definitely something you’ll want to consider. Upfront, a brand new HVAC system is definitely going to be more expensive, but in the long run? It’s not that simple. See, when your HVAC system is older it’s not working as efficiently as it could, and this means that your system has to work harder to produce the same results as a new unit. This means that on any given day you’re using significantly more power to heat and cool your home with an inefficient system as you would have to use with a new system. So, in the long run, the higher power costs you incur could end up costing you more than investing in a new system would have. Of course, this can vary depending on the size of your home, typical power consumption and how old your unit is, so consider all of these factors when estimating the costs of an HVAC repair versus replacement.
Future Plans – After considering the cost of replacing your system and the age of your unit, you’ll also want to do some planning for the future. By that we mean think about how long your family plans to stay in your home. Since an HVAC system is one of the bigger investments you can make in your home, you don’t want to invest in a new unit if you’re planning on moving within the next year or two. In this situation, it might not be worth the investment and repair could be the more cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you know your family plans to stay in your home for as long as possible, then replacing your old unit sooner rather than later will save you money in the long run.
Comfort and Convenience – Lastly, whether or not to replace or repair your HVAC system could come down to your own comfort. For some, an HVAC unit that isn’t fully cooling or heating their home can wreak major havoc on their comfort and how they feel in their home. While others may not be as affected by it. For example, if you need your air conditioner to quickly cool your home in the hot summer months without struggling to maintain the temperature, then a temporary solution might not be enough for you and you might want to invest in a new system.
HVAC troubles are stressful, but deciding whether or not a quick repair or complete replacement is necessary doesn’t have to be. Our skilled team of HVAC experts can help you weigh the pros and cons of a repair versus a replacement, depending on the current shape of your system. We can also help you get on a maintenance schedule that will keep your machine in good working order.
