As your home’s central heating and air conditioning system starts to age, breakdowns and repairs become inevitable. The temptation is to continue repairing your system until your HVAC technician declares that the system is finished. After all, no one is eager to spend the money for a new heating and air conditioning system when the existing system can be repaired for much less.
However, in many cases repairing your old HVAC system is a case of “penny wise, pound foolish”. First, an HVAC system can be expected to last about 15 years. If your system is more than 10 years old, consider the current repair as a sign that the future holds more breakdowns and repairs. Don’t assume that you will get another 10 to 15 years of trouble free service out of the unit.
In addition, modern heating and air conditioning systems are much more energy efficient than those sold 10 to 15 years ago. Increased efficiency means lower heating and cooling costs year after year. These savings alone can offset a significant portion of the cost of a new HVAC system.
Finally, consider the cost of the air conditioner or furnace repair. A relatively inexpensive repair to a system that’s less than 10 years old and has otherwise proven reliable is probably a cost effective solution, but you should give serious consideration to a new HVAC installation before spending money on expensive repairs to a system of any age and especially before paying for anything more than the most minor repairs to an older heating and cooling system.
When in doubt, talk to your HVAC contractor or technician. They can help you decide if your old system is worth fixing or if a new energy efficient HVAC system makes financial sense.
