Signs You Need A New HVAC
Clear the Air Cooling & Heating
Rated 4.9 out of 1006 reviewsSigns You Need A New HVAC
From the moment you lose your wallet, the loss of money, energy and time is undeniable. Wasting money on your HVAC system is slightly less obvious but equally if not more upsetting, if you actually look at the numbers.
As one of the most important components of your home, an HVAC system’s efficiency and functionality are invaluable to your family’s safety & comfort, but that doesn’t mean you should be continually dumping resources into it! To determine whether or not you are losing money on your HVAC system, we have compiled a few telltale signs that indicate it’s time to install a new, more efficient HVAC unit in your home.
In general, if your HVAC system is older than 15 years, you should replace it. Every 10 to 15 years, according to the Department of Energy, households should update their HVAC system. Modern air conditioners are resilient, but depending on how frequently you use and repair them, their principal components will start to degrade after around 10 years. Also, R-22 is most frequently used as a refrigerant in AC units older than 10 years. Not only is this kind of freon obsolete, but it is also bad for the environment. Your carbon footprint will be less and your monthly energy costs will go down if you upgrade to a newer unit.
The normal lifespan of an HVAC system is between 10 and 25 years, however, if your HVAC system has been overworked by poor insulation and unsealed air leaks, it may not last as long as it should.
Only a qualified energy audit will reveal whether your HVAC system is overworked and underperforming. Through Sealed, you could be able to receive a free energy assessment.
On average, homeowners spend between $3,200 and $7,800 installing a central air conditioning unit. The square footage of your house, your preferred brand, and the SEER rating you select are the key variables that will impact the cost of your AC unit. You would need a 2.5 ton air conditioner for a 1,300 to 1,600 square foot home, and the unit alone would cost around $1,285 on average.
Repairs are Constant and Cost More
As your system ages, the years of work take a toll on the components within. Compressors, coils and motors will begin to breakdown more often. The ever constant repairs on your old system will begin to add up in terms of costs to you. At this point, installing a new system may be more cost efficient over time for you when measured against continuing, costly repair bills.
The Air Quality in Your Home is Bad
The chances that your older system is harboring harmful contaminants increases with every passing year. Dust, mold, odor causing particles, excess humidity and other allergens that have become trapped in your system may circulate throughout your home’s air, creating or aggravating health and comfort problems.
Unusual Sounds Coming From Your System
Loud and unpleasant sounds from your heating and air conditioning unit are often signs of serious problems. These problems may be due to the age of the components in your system, causing important mechanical parts to be overstressed and become worn down earlier than they should. The motors, fans and blowers of you HVAC unit should work without loud grinding or creaking sounds. A newer HVAC system will run quietly, without annoying sounds to disturb the peace and quiet of your home.
If you are noticing any of these signs of trouble with your home’s HVAC system, or you have any questions, call Clear The Air Heating and Air Conditioning at 281·612·1031 to schedule an inspection of your heating and air conditioning unit!
