Anytime a significant HVAC component in your home has issues, such as a furnace, a heat pump or an air conditioner, you’ll naturally be looking for the most cost-effective solution available. Generally speaking, in many cases, this theme comes down to a simple choice: Whether to repair or replace the components at issue.
Quality HVAC professionals will be able to provide both services at your convenience, from simple furnace repairs up to major replacements of key such components. Which is the most cost-effective move for you — repair or replacement? Here are the variables to consider that will help you answer this question.
Age of the Equipment
First and foremost, the age of your equipment is a significant factor in the decision to repair or replace. Furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps have an expected lifespan, and when they reach that point, it’s often more cost-effective to simply replace them rather than repair them.
For air conditioners and heat pumps, a minimum lifespan of around 10 years should be expected. For furnaces, especially modern components, this range is usually closer to 15-20 years.
Another important question to ask — and one that HVAC professionals can help answer — is whether your system is running on outdated technology. For instance, if you have an air conditioner from the early 2000s, it’s likely using R-22 refrigerant. This is being phased out by the EPA, so eventually repairs will become more difficult and expensive as parts become harder to find.
If your system is outdated or has reached the end of its lifespan, replacement may be the more prudent decision, both for the health of those in your home and for your bank account.
Quality of Maintenance
In many situations, issues with major HVAC components arise due to improper or lack of maintenance. If you’ve been faithfully servicing your system and replacing filters as needed, your components may be able to last a few extra years beyond their expected lifespan. However, if regular maintenance hasn’t been done or if components have been neglected, replacement may be the only solution.
This is one area that highlights the importance of regular service from a qualified HVAC technician. By catching small problems before they become big ones, a good technician can often keep your system running for years beyond its expected lifespan.
Recent Repairs?
Is something going wrong with an HVAC component that you’ve just recently repaired or replaced? If so, it may be more cost-effective to simply replace the entire unit or system. This is especially true if the component in question is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Simply put, there’s no sense in continuing to spend money on repeated replacements if you know the component is going to give out soon. In this case, replacement may be the wiser option, both in terms of cost and long-term reliability.
System Size
In other situations, size issues are what lead homeowners to replace a given HVAC component in their home. For example, an AC unit that’s too small for a given space will have to work much harder than necessary to cool the area, leading to an increase in energy bills and an accelerated wear and tear on the unit.
In this case, it’s often more cost-effective to simply replace the unit rather than continue to repair it. The same is true for furnaces and heat pumps; if the system is too large or too small for the space it’s heating or cooling, replacement may be the best option.
By taking all of these factors into account, you can make a more informed decision about repair or replacement for your home’s major HVAC components. With quality advice from a qualified technician, you’ll be sure to choose the right option.