Is it Time To Repair Or Replace?: Guidelines To Help You Decide

It may make sense to repair your furnace or air conditioning units if the building itself is inefficient, you are planning future renovations, or if you are planning to sell to a new owner. If you are planning on moving yourself, you may not want to put such a financial investment into your current property. Sometimes lack of ready cash flow can also interfere with a more costly replacement.

On the other hand, if you are not moving, the choice to repair or replace your HVAC system requires some other considerations. How old is your current furnace and air conditioner? The average life expectancy is about 8-10 years for this type of equipment. With regular maintenance and ideal conditions, an AC may last as long as 15 years and a furnace might make it to 20 years.The problem with older units is the difficulty in securing replacement parts that are still compatible.

Another issue is the current condition of your heating and cooling units. We can assess the quality and overall health of your current brand. If regular maintenance has been performed, there have been few repair issues, and you have a reputable brand, minor repairs might be the best option.

The bottom line always has to do with the cost to repair or replace your HVAC systems. The hard fact remains that older equipment is less efficient, and even when repaired and restored, it will still only be as efficient as when it was manufactured. Newer systems can offer as much as a 60% savings on gas or electric bills. Even though the initial outlay might seem prohibitive, the break-even point is not too far in the future, and the savings will continue long after that.

Newer systems also tend to be more comfortable, quiet, and reliable. They are also eco-friendly, leaving less of a carbon footprint than older equipment. Why not let us offer you with a professional consultation? If you live in our Massachusetts service area, our experienced and friendly company would love to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about determining whether to repair or replace your HVAC unit and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.

Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.