Why You Should Replace Your Heating And Cooling Unit After Reading This

Heating and cooling units lose their effectiveness with time. It gets to a point where they require frequent repairs due to malfunctions due to age. A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit regulates and ventilates the air in your environment all year round, in different weather conditions. Frequent breakdowns will not only compromise your comfort and peace but will also attract high electric bills.

The following are reasons why you should replace your heating and cooling unit after reading this article: 

1. Old System

The life of an HVAC system is typically 10 to 15 years depending on the quality of maintenance it receives. Most units start becoming problematic after about 10 years of use. If the unit undergoes constant repair, it’s time to consider replacing it. An old system will have worn-out parts that need to be replaced one after the other in short intervals. As the system gets older, its effectiveness will also reduce. Picture the worst-case scenario where the system completely breaks down in the middle of winter or at the peak of summer. If you have kids to tend to or a staff that relies on heating and ventilation so they can perform their jobs well, then a malfunctioning heating and cooling system should worry you. Moreover, replacing parts of the system will be more costly than a complete HVAC replacement. Some spare parts for older systems may already have been phased out, too.

2. High Repair Costs

Even though heating and cooling units need to be repaired or serviced periodically, repairs that cost more than half the price of a new unit are cause for alarm. To find out if your system needs repair or replacement, you should work out the total amount of repair costs with the best installers and technicians, then multiply the number by the age of your unit. The better option is to replace it if the amount is almost the cost of a new unit. Mixing old parts with new ones will cause faster wearing down of the unit, and might result in never-ending repairs. 

3.  High Energy Bills 

It’s not uncommon for energy bills to fluctuate once in a while, especially if the energy providers charge more. Yet an unexplained spike in the energy bills should pick your curiosity. Even well-maintained and serviced HVACs will eventually deteriorate and the mechanisms will start failing, therefore straining the unit’s performance. This will consequently lead to higher energy consumption so the unit can function. At this point, replacing the failing mechanisms might not be a cost-effective move.

4. Dust Accumulation And Compromised Quality Of Air

Beyond heating and cooling your environment, your unit is also responsible for ventilation. If you notice that your home environment is accumulating dust at a faster rate than usual and that there’s increased humidity, then the problem could be in your HVAC. A unit with ductwork problems will have difficulty filtering off dust and other debris from the air, leading to compromised air quality. Thus, consider replacing your unit, especially if it’s been with you for more than 10 years.

5. Strange Noises

HVAC systems operate with minimal noise. Therefore, you might hear strange noises as the units get older. All parts of the air-conditioner work together, so if one part fails, it causes a strain on other parts. A high-pitched, squealing sound heard inside and outside the house means that the belt connecting the motor to the blower has come off. Meanwhile, a buzzing sound indicates missing, broken, or loose parts, a leaking refrigerant, or faulty electrical voltage of the unit. An overwhelmed air system can no longer serve you efficiently and thus needs replacement.

6. Pungent Smell

Not all smells coming from your HVAC system are considered dangerous. However, if your system emits a burning plastic or gunpowder smell, then there’s cause for action. An HVAC system has many electrical components. Due to age or faulty wirings, single or multiple components can burn and cause a foul smell from the system. Hence, if your system is old, consider replacing it.

Conclusion

A heating and cooling unit that has outlived its usefulness will start malfunctioning. If your unit has become less effective than it was last season in the same weather conditions, then the system may no longer be working as it should. This will be evident when you keep the unit on throughout, but it fails to regulate and filter the air. Apart from providing inconsistent temperatures in the home, it will also escalate energy bills. Replacing your heating and cooling system is the only way to ensure that you continue enjoying proper temperature regulation and ventilation.