When your Madison county, VA, home’s HVAC system isn’t working well, you might wonder whether it’s better to schedule an HVAC repair or a replacement. Your budget will be a factor, and so will your current system’s ability to maintain indoor comfort. Use these factors for determining if you should have your heating or cooling system repaired, or if the installation of a new system would be a better option.
System Age
Heat pumps and air conditioners typically last for 10 to 12 years. Furnaces have a lifespan of about 15to 20 years. If your HVAC system is older than this, consider a replacement.
Frequency of Breakdowns and Cost of Repairs
As HVAC systems age, more parts fail. You might replace your heat pump’s capacitor one month only to find that two months later, the motor fails. An increasing frequency of system breakdowns and repairs that cost more than 30% of the price of a new heating or cooling system are good indications that it’s time for a replacement.
Comfort
Consider your home’s comfort. If some rooms are too hot or too cold, replacing your HVAC system may be the right choice. Aging heating and cooling systems may do a poor job at controlling humidity and maintaining indoor air quality, too.
Increasing Energy Bills
If your utility bills keep going up, but you schedule HVAC tune-ups and change the air filter, it could be that the system is losing efficiency. This happens as a heating and cooling system ages. Energy Star offers an Energy Yardstick tool that you can use to calculate your HVAC system’s current efficiency at maintaining indoor comfort. Also keep in mind that new HVAC systems are more efficient than those made 10 or 20 years ago, so an HVAC installation will lead to lower utility bills.
To learn more about whether you should consider an HVAC repair or installation, take a look at Duct-Rite Mechanical LLC’s HVAC installation services, or give us a call to schedule a consultation.
