It’s never too late to upgrade your heating and air conditioning system. But if you wait until your system is old and worn, you could be missing out on a great opportunity to increase the overall value of your home. If you’ve been putting off an upgrade, now is the time to make sure that you’re not making a mistake.
Is a New HVAC System Worth It? One HVAC market report found that 34% of homeowners use electric heat. If you’re using a system with low efficiency, it means both you and future buyers will pay a lot in monthly bills. So is the investment worth it? You don’t want to throw money away right before you move. If investing in a new system makes a sale happen though, it will be worth it in the end. Consider your current system’s efficiency and cost.
You want to have an HVAC system that runs above 80% efficiency. If your current model runs at a low-efficiency rate, then a new replacement will lower monthly costs. With a new HVAC unit, homeowners may cut their electric bills by 20%. This type of home improvement will make your home’s market value skyrocket. Are you ready to think about installing a new HVAC system? Here are some important things to consider before you decide to buy.
Does Your Ductwork Need To Be Replaced? Ducts are the passages used in HVAC systems to deliver and remove air. If these are in bad shape, then replacing your heating and cooling units won’t be enough. You’ll be looking at spending thousands of dollars to replace bad ductwork if your HVAC unit is more than 15 years old. This makes the renovation a bigger risk and a longer project. If your HVAC system is old but in good shape, it might be smarter to do small repairs instead of a big replacement.
What Condition Is Your Current HVAC System In? Heating and cooling units endure regular wear and tear after years of use. Dust and grime build up inside the machinery and pipes, and minor damages need to be fixed. At the very least, HVAC systems need to be serviced annually. If you had yours serviced every new year or with every new season, then it’s likely in good shape. You can hire a professional to check the state of your current HVAC system to help you decide what updates to make. If it’s needing constant repairs or shows a lot of damage, you may want to consider replacing it.
When to Replace Your HVAC System HVAC systems can last anywhere between 10- 20 years if they are maintained well. Most homeowners choose to replace their systems at the 10-15 year mark for a more efficient model. An HVAC system will wear down after years of working hard to heat, cool, ventilate, and filter the air. If you’re wondering whether it’s time for a replacement, there are obvious signs that you can look for. Constant repairs are a major sign that your HVAC unit is about to bite the dust.
When systems get to a certain worn-down state, it’s no longer worth paying extra money for repairs that won’t help long-term. If any of your units have dangerous issues, then it’s definitely time for a replacement. Units with major problems can mean compromise the safety of your family. For example, a furnace that can’t properly burn its fuel can leak carbon monoxide into the air. Another major sign is high electric bills. Older units have to work harder and use more energy to do their job, which costs you money. Remember, buyers, want to find a house that’s safe and energy-efficient. If they know your home has a bad HVAC system, they’ll offer less or look elsewhere.
In conclusion, you can’t really predict the future. But, you can prepare for it by making sure that you have a good, solid foundation in place before you start thinking about your next steps. A house with a new HVAC system is going to be more energy efficient, which means that you’ll save money on your energy bills. And, a well-maintained HVAC system is going to last longer, which will reduce the amount of maintenance that you’ll need to do. So, if you’re considering a new HVAC system for your home, think about all of the things that you’re going to get in return. It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s really not. You’ll be rewarded with a more comfortable home, and a well-maintained system that will save you money in the long run.