8 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Home’s HVAC System

The best HVAC systems are ones that the homeowner can simply trust will dependably work every time it’s needed.

Unfortunately, while they might deliver dependable results for a time, HVAC systems are just like everything else in that they can experience technical issues from time to time. Plus, there’s also the simple fact that nothing lasts forever. At some point or another, you’ll need to go through the upgrading process.

But when should that time be? In this post, we’ll run through some of the all-too-common telltale signs that it’s time to start thinking about replacing your home’s HVAC systems. Let’s take a look. 

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It’s Been a Couple of Decades

Time is often the best indicator that the time to upgrade your HVAC system will soon be approaching. As we said above, nothing lasts forever. There’s no hard and fast rule regarding how long an HVAC system will last, though most experts typically agree that it’s around 15 – 25 years.

If you’ve passed the fifteen-year mark, then it can be worthwhile starting to put money aside for a new HVAC system, since it’s probably that you’ll need to upgrade sooner rather than later. 

You’re Spending a Lot on Repairs

One of the good things about HVAC systems is that one damaged part doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to upgrade the whole system. Most issues can be repaired, extending the life of the system.

With that said, while it’s usually possible to repair damaged HVAC systems, it’s not always recommended that you actually do so. If you’re spending a lot on repairs, then at some point it’ll simply make sense to get in touch with a heating and cooling contractor to upgrade the system. 

There are two ways to calculate whether you’re spending too much money repairing your HVAC system. The first is the $5,000 rule; this is when you multiply the age of the system by the repair cost. If it exceeds $5,000, then it’s best to replace it. The other is the 50% rule, which says if a single repair job is 50% or more of the cost to replace it, then it’ll be better to upgrade. 

Your Energy Bills Are Rising

Even HVAC systems that appear to be working well — as in, they’re still cooling/heating your home just fine — can be due for an upgrade if your energy bills are rising. Over time, HVAC systems begin to lose some of their efficiency, which means that they have to work harder to produce the same level of results. If you’re noticing that your energy bills seem to be increasing for unexplained reasons, then it can be worth getting in touch with an HVAC expert to inspect your system. 

This is one of those scenarios in which it can make a lot of financial sense to upgrade the system. Modern HVAC systems are much more energy efficient, so it’s an exaggeration to say that the cost of cooling/heating your home could be cut in half once you’ve upgraded to a modern model. 

You Don’t Have Full Confidence In Its Performance

This sign is less technical, more about how you feel. As a homeowner, you’ll rely on your HVAC system to keep you and your family cool during the summer months and warm during the winter. 

If you don’t have confidence in its performance, then you may be living through the cold/hot periods of the year with a fear that, one morning, you’ll wake up to discover that it’s not working right at the time that you need it the most. Replacing the HVAC system before that time gives you peace of mind that you have a fully functioning unit in place, and also helps to prevent the additional costs of having to make an emergency repair. 

It’s Making Strange Sounds/Noises

There aren’t too many instances in which unknown/unexpected sounds are welcome. While there’s a chance that it could just be a strange noise, it’s also highly possible that it indicates that there’s something more sinister going on under the hood. As with the energy efficiency point, HVAC systems can still work even when they’re making strange noises, but they don’t always work effectively. Even if you don’t have to replace the whole unit, it’s worthwhile getting in touch with an HVAC expert to take a closer look. 

You Want to Reduce Your Environment Impact

Are you one of the 70 – 80% of Americans who have concerns about the environment and wish to do your part? It’s generally recommended to get as much use from a product as possible before replacing it, but that’s not the case when it comes to HVAC systems. Older models are much less energy efficient than newer units, and especially so if they’re damaged and have to work harder. By upgrading to a newer model, you’ll be doing your bit to lower your carbon footprint and giving your wallet a boost. 

There’s Uneven Heating/Cooling

When you set the thermostat, you assume that you’ll be able to enjoy that temperature across your whole home. Damaged systems can cause uneven heating/cooling, in which one room could be a significantly different temperature from another. 

This doesn’t always mean that the system has to be completely replaced, since it’s often a duct issue, but it does merit further investigation. It’s possible that the system is no longer capable of generating the pressure required to push the air around the property. 

You Suspect Something Is Wrong 

Finally, keep in mind that, as with most technologies, HVAC systems can exhibit issues that don’t always neatly align with the crystal clear, standard signs that something is wrong. If you suspect that your HVAC system isn’t working as it should, then reach out to a professional. It’s also true that you don’t necessarily need a certified reason to upgrade to one of the latest models. You can do so if you’d just like to boost your comfort at home, increase property value, or get the other benefits of a new system. 

This is a contributed post.

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