Should I Repair Or Replace My HVAC Unit?
Should I Repair Or Replace My HVAC Unit?
08/20/2018
Manufacturers have engineered our Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, or HVAC, Systems to be resilient enough to last for many years. Whether or not they reach their expected lifespan will depend on how they are taken care of by their owners.
Naturally, when it malfunctions during the first few years after having purchased it, we always knew that a repair would be most likely be the best option, but for the ones that are older, we are then brought to a dilemma whether to have it fixed or replaced. The proper choice will dictate whether you save on money and get the most out of it.
Work With The Best
Before we get started, it must be stressed of the importance that you only work with an HVAC company that is trusted by many in the industry and has produced numerous satisfied customers. It makes no difference whatever choice is made if the job was done poorly.
Put a little effort in pinpointing the right professionals to hire as these will give you proper service and will have your well being as their priority. Keep in mind that investing with them means you can save on expenses in the long run and avoid frequent repairs and early demise of your equipment.
Coming To A Decision
Deciding between repairs or replacement could mean saving short-term but sacrificing quality and gradually increasing expenses without realizing on the one hand. On the other, you could be spending a lot of money to replace a good condition piece of equipment or unit that would function well with a money-saving repair. Here’s what you should consider:
A Large Number of Repairs
When your technician has been visiting your household several times now in a short period, then you should start shopping for a new system. When too many components of your HVAC have become excessively worn out, no matter the repair that is done it most likely would soon break again.
The cost of the repair should also be taken into account. Often professionals will recommend you to replace your old units when its repair is at or more than 50% of its original value.
Age of Hardware
Though it was made to be resilient, it still has an expiration date that is inevitable. This may be delayed through proper maintenance but it will still come eventually. If not too damaged your system may run for 15 to 20 years, but if you haven’t had it routinely inspected, tuned-up and cleaned then you could be looking at 10-15 years; possibly even less if you had it working nonstop.
How old your hardware is and how you treated it should tell you what the most economical decision would be in the event that it isn’t performing well. If you still want to make sure, have a technician examine your system and give you advise on this subject.
Productivity
If you’ve given enough attention to your expenses when you first purchased your HVAC, you may recall what the utility bills were like back then. If you find these have increased dramatically then this is an indication that the elements of your system are worn out and requires huge volumes of power to meet required temperatures.
Consider the age of your unit
One of the first things you'll need to consider when making this decision is your unit's age. In general, an HVAC unit that is more than ten years old should be replaced with a new, more energy efficient model. Older models have a lower Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) than newer models, and even though replacement may cost more initially, you'll pay for your unit several times over when you see significant savings on your monthly energy bill.
Look at repair history
Is your unit needing frequent repairs? Is it draining your monthly budget with the need for tune ups, freon, and other maintenance that can add up over time? If it seems to be breaking down frequently, or if it is costing you time and money with a repair history that seems to be too lengthy, it might be time to replace. In general, use the rule of 5000 to determine whether to repair or replace; if the age of the unit multiplied by the cost of the repair is greater than 5000, it's time for your old unit to go.
Look at efficiency
If your unit is ten years old or more, or it does not cool your home efficiently and seems to be costing you more money than expected in energy bills, think about replacing it. While the cost of installation may be higher than you initially want to pay, the energy savings you'd incur over the course of the year could add up to as much as $500 annually. This efficient savings alone is worth the investment in a new unit.
Consult a professional first
At times, it may be necessary to call an HVAC professional in for a professional assessment of your unit and its function. A technician may be able to give you advice that will help you to fix an older unit short term while saving for a new one. A professional will also take into account the size of your unit, your projected use, and cost-effective options when making suggestions for your home.
How Command Service Center Can Help
It’s not your fault if you are still confused on the proper path to take after having read this article and checked your HVAC. Remember that in affairs of this nature, it requires training to effectively accomplish these. When in doubt call in the specialists to handle these for you. Call (847) 215-9880 and Command Service Center will happily send one over.