Is It Time to Upgrade Your Home’s HVAC System?

With winter upon us at last, it’s time to put your home’s furnace to the test. If your home is consistently warm and your energy bills are manageable, you know you’ve got a good HVAC system. But if your furnace has trouble keeping up and your family is engaging in thermostat wars just to keep your energy costs under control, you may find yourself contemplating an upgrade.

At General Heating & Air Conditioning, we specialize in helping homeowners get the best heating and cooling systems for their homes. Give us a call to get your heating and cooling system inspected or upgrade your system today!

In this post, we’ll talk about some of the signs your HVAC system is due for an upgrade.

Benefits of an HVAC Upgrade

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is to wait to upgrade their HVAC system until it’s absolutely necessary. Waiting until the system dies can cost you more in the long run and risks running into an emergency scenario where you have to replace it immediately.

Upgrading your HVAC system with a more efficient one can save you hundreds each year on your energy costs. You’ll also be surprised at how comfortable your home will be with a newer, more innovative HVAC system.

The worst thing that can happen is your heating system fails in the winter or cooling system fails in the winter. If you know you have recurring issues with your HVAC system, it is time to start saving for an upgrade.

Here are a few signs your home could benefit from a system upgrade:

• Frequent repairs are needed
• System is more than a decade old
• Rooms are too hot or cold
• Home temperature is inconsistent
• Furnace runs constantly
• Heating and cooling bills are outsized
• Inconsistently high energy bills
• Your home’s air quality is poor
• Your HVAC system makes a lot of noise

To Repair or Replace Your Furnace & A/C?

HVAC system replacement is something of an investment. Eventually, you may reach a point where the cost of constant repairs outweighs the expense you would need to invest in a new system. However, it’s a good idea to spend time researching new systems and make sure you get the right one for your home and your family’s needs.

If your system isn’t costing you too much in repairs and heating bills, however, you may benefit from simple system maintenance. A professional heating and cooling contractor can inspect your ductwork and furnace to look for problems that can be easily repaired.

We can also help you determine if replacement is truly necessary and recommend the right system for your home. On average, furnaces and A/C units last between 15 to 20 years, but both systems can last up to 30 years with regular maintenance and upkeep.

The make and build of your model, its history of repairs, and whether your warranty is active are other things to consider.

Common Furnace & A/C Repairs

While in the long run, it is best to replace your furnace and A/C if there are recurring repair issues, some repair issues are fairly common. If your HVAC system is still under warranty or only needs basic repairs, you should avoid replacing it for the time being.

These are some of the most common furnace and A/C repairs:

• Blown Fuse
• Tripper Breaker
• Filter Replacement
• Clogged Condenser
• Dirt build-up, especially around the evaporator coils
• Thermostat Issues
• General Wear and Tear
• Water and Refrigerant Leaks

Most of these repairs are done during scheduled yearly maintenance and are quick, cheap fixes, so you don’t need to worry about replacing your system. To avoid having to do these repairs frequently, schedule maintenance for your HVAC system more regularly, especially if it is older.

Also, be more active in learning how your furnace and A/C work, and try to maintain them on your own. Getting your HVAC system ready for the change in seasons also helps.

Professional HVAC System Installation

The key to a performance HVAC system upgrade begins with professional installation from an experienced heating and air conditioning service. The right thermostat, furnace, and ductwork all play a role.

In some cases, it may be possible to replace part of the system without replacing every component. However, if you choose to go this route, you may find yourself spending more on labor costs over time. On the other hand, replacing the entire system at once can save you a bundle in terms of installation labor.

Complete system replacement is your best bet if you’re concerned about the various components of your system working together efficiently.

ENERGY STAR Products

The great thing about energy savings is that they reduce your environmental impact while keeping your energy bills down. The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy rate products for energy efficiency.

The US ENERGY STAR program labels energy-efficient products for American homes to help reduce the U.S. environmental footprint for homes and businesses. Every year, the ENERGY STAR program helps homeowners save billions in energy costs.

Tax credits are also available for ENERGY STAR products. Our heating and cooling pros at General Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose an efficient system that fits your home!

What to Know About Replacing a Heat Pump or Boiler

Heat pumps regularly get replaced every 10 to 20, but most people replace them once it reaches the 15-year mark, because a notable drop in quality occurs for most consumer models. Similarly, the lifespan of a boiler is between 15 and 20 years.

Most of the signs to replace a heat pump are the same as when to replace a furnace, except you should especially watch out for toxic gas leaks like carbon monoxide. With boiler systems, you should look to see if there is any corrosion and look for leaking fluid.

When considering replacing both systems, it is crucial to get a professional opinion.

Choosing the Right HVAC System

Not all systems work the same. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when purchasing an HVAC system independently is to purchase a system that’s larger than their square footage needs.

Getting the right system size is necessary to make your home comfortable while cycling on and off at the right time. An undersized system will have to work too hard, whereas an oversized system will shut off sooner and negatively impact the humidity levels in your home.

Besides your home’s size, its location, your personal preference, and your budget will all play a role in the final decision-making process.

There are three main types of furnace options for homes:

• Gas
• Oil
• Electric

In addition to traditional heating and cooling systems, heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative. Because they use less electricity than traditional HVAC systems, they can help regulate your home’s temperature more comfortably while saving you money.

Heat pumps require a larger initial investment than a traditional furnace system but can save you in the long run. A geothermal or air source heat pump works by transferring heat from the ground or air to the inside of your home, regulating the temperature inside through every season.

Call Our Shakopee Heating & Cooling Pros

Is your HVAC system cycling on and off constantly? Are your monthly energy bills taking a huge chunk out of your paycheck? It may be time for an HVAC system upgrade.

Contact our experts online or call us at 952-445-2820 to connect with a heating and cooling specialist about new HVAC system options for your home!