Just like any mechanical device or equipment, HVAC systems will only operate for so long before they need to be replaced. Determining that time, however, isn’t so simple. If you’re replacing a heating or cooling system when it still has a lot of mileage left in its tank, you’re leaving money on the table. Yet, if you keep shoveling money into a system that’s failing, that doesn’t make economic sense either. Ask the following questions before deciding whether to repair or replace:
- How old is your HVAC system? Furnaces can be expected to last 15–25 years, though at the upper limit of that span, you’re probably not getting very efficient or reliable heating. A/Cs and heat pumps come in at 12–15 years. If your HVAC system is nearing the end of its service life, continuing to pay for repairs may not be the best course when you’ll have to replace it soon anyway.
- How hard does your system work? An A/C or furnace that’s running constantly for several months of the year will reach the end of its service life before one that runs less often. This largely hinges on climate. In Indiana, where we have long, cold winters and relatively hot and muggy summers, both cooling and heating systems will get a lot of use. Factor that in when calculating the probable service life of an HVAC system.
- Are you seeing heating and/or cooling bills rising? Often this can be the result of a failing older system, and a signal that it may be time for a replacement.
- Is your local HVAC service technician at your house a lot? At a certain point, you need to quit paying for repairs to an older system and go ahead and buy a new one.
When deciding whether to repair or replace an older HVAC system, remember that with a new system, you not only will get improved performance; you’ll begin seeing significant energy savings, too.
To discuss the repair or replace dilemma in your Indianapolis-area home, please contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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