5 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your HVAC
A working HVAC system is essential to keeping your Sarasota, Florida, home comfortable, especially during the winter months when you might need the heat one day and the AC the next. Sometimes families continue to run HVAC systems that are too old or damaged to be efficient. If your heating and cooling unit requires constant repairs or guzzles energy, you should upgrade your HVAC system to a newer and more efficient model.
Increasing Energy Bills
One of the first signs of HVAC trouble many homeowners notice is rising energy bills. When nothing in your daily routine changes yet your energy bills increase, the HVAC system is often the culprit. Older HVAC systems use more energy to created conditioned air, even if they’ve been maintained well.
Before you trash that old HVAC system, call on one of our service technicians to perform maintenance and repairs. Sometimes the problem causing the energy use hike is fixable. But if you consistently invest in maintenance and still see rising energy bills, your system is just getting old and needs replacing.
Weird Noises
We repair many HVAC issues involving noises, which typically occur when a part loosens or needs replacing. However, older HVAC units can get pretty loud.
You might notice that your blower hums louder than it used to, or that your outdoor unit makes quite the racket when it’s on. Your furnace is capable of all sorts of strange noises, from groaning to banging.
An increase in odd noises indicates that your system is in need of more repair than it used to require. Many of these parts are replaceable. But eventually, the system will wear out, even with new parts inside. If the HVAC system consistently makes noises no matter how much maintenance you get, it’s probably time for a new unit.
Long Running Time
When your AC or furnace runs for a long time, it indicates it’s having trouble producing and circulating enough air around your house to maintain the correct temperature. A number of HVAC problems cause this issue, from bad coils to a failing blower motor.
However, as systems age, they have to run longer because they become less efficient. An HVAC system that has to run significantly longer than it used to, even after maintenance or repairs, is probably getting ready to quit. A new system will maintain the temperature in your home, and you won’t have to listen to it humming all the time, either.
Lots of Repairs
HVAC systems are like cars: If you need tons of repairs, the model is too old or damaged and beyond saving. In the long run, spending so much to keep this unit running for the next few years isn’t cost effective.
Instead, you should use that money to invest in a new system. Get routine maintenance on that system to extend its life and lessen the severity of any future repairs.
Old Age
HVAC systems are good for about a decade — sometimes longer if they’ve been well maintained. After that, they lose efficiency and start costing a lot to repair. The newer models on the market can offer you features and efficiency beyond what your old model currently offers.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that if your AC or heat pump is more than 10 years old, replacing it with a new Energy Star model will save you 20 percent on your energy bills. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, an Energy Star replacement will save you 15 percent.
At Custom Air Inc., we want you to be comfortable all year in Florida. Schedule one of our service technicians to visit your home to repair and maintain your system by calling (866) 819-0992.