HVAC Installation: Recognize When Replacement is Right

HVAC Installation: Knowing when it is time to replace your AC unit

Often you hear that you should consider a new HVAC Installation when your system is over ten years old. But your AC is still running–do you really need to be concerned about a new HVAC Installation? If the unit fails, you must assume it will fail during a heatwave. Here are some tips to consider when making a decision.

1. According to the Department of Energy, the average system lifespan for an air conditioner in the United States is 15-20 years. In South Texas, our cooling season is long and this is a relevant factor. But you still don’t have enough information to make a decision about a new HVAC Installation. Let’s move on.
2. Are repairs frequent and expensive? If the system is ten years old or older and your AC requires frequent repairs, these might be signs that failure is imminent. If the repair bill is close to 50% of a new system, it makes your decision easier for a new HVAC Installation.
3. Have you kept up with preventative maintenance? Annual preventative maintenance adds years to your HVAC. If your system has not been well maintained, you may need to replace your unit sooner than later.
4. Gather information on how a new HVAC Installation system might save you money. In 2015, the industry began evaluating AC systems with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the system requires. Significant utility bill savings might help you decide when to buy a new system.
5. Does your system use the coolant R22, HCFC22, or Freon? If so, Federal regulations are in place to phase out this coolant, making it more difficult to attain and very expensive. Research has shown Freon to be detrimental to the environment. A new system will use an environmentally safe coolant that has demonstrated better efficiency.
6. Does your system struggle to meet high cooling demands? If your home was “feeling the last heatwave on the inside” because the AC could not keep up or the house was uncomfortably humid, it might be time to consider replacing the unit. A new system with improved efficiency will surpass the expectations set by your current system.
7. Would a rebate help you decide? HVAC manufacturers, utility companies, state and local governments occasionally offer rebates or incentives for replacing old inefficient HVAC systems with new higher efficiency models. Rebates might make the price fit your budget.
8. Will you live in your home long enough to enjoy the benefits? If you are planning a move soon, you might consider factoring the replacement cost into the selling price and wait. Or, consider whether a brand new HVAC unit will increase the asking price of your home.

We hope you have enough information to make a decision. Will you wait and risk it? Or will you replace the AC before it fails?

Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool. The longer you ignore or put off making the call, the longer it will be before you improve your HVAC system and be comfortable in your home.