When is the right time to replace your heating, ventilation or air conditioning unit? You should keep your eye out for signs that indicate it’s time for an HVAC system replacement. If some particular signs occur, it’s best to call an HVAC professional to help you decide about upgrading your system.
If your heat pump or air conditioning unit is over 10 years old, and your furnace or boiler is over 15 years old, consider replacing it with a system that is certified with an ENERGY STAR label. These high-efficiency units can save you up to 20 percent on energy costs for cooling or heating your home.
You should also weigh your options and consider replacing any units based on the following criteria:
- Rooms in your home become excessively cold or hot — this likely can be blamed on poor circulation or your system running inefficiently.
- Your cooling or heating equipment is inefficient, needs regular repairs or the cost of using them steadily increases — older equipment will continue to need more maintenance as they increase in age.
- No one is at home for extended periods and your system does not have a programmable thermostat — consider purchasing or using a programmable thermostat to maintain an equal temperature.
- Your home has humidity problems — this could be a sign of poor or failing equipment, or leaks in your home’s ducts that allows the air to become too humid or dry, depending on the season.
- Your home regularly becomes very dusty or dirty — loose or leaking ducts allow dust and dirt particles in the air, as well as air from attics, basements and crawl spaces, and allow them to spread through your house.
