Acker Heating & Cooling

Making the HVAC Replacement Decision

Every HVAC system will require repairs over time. As your system approaches the ten-year mark, it can be difficult to determine whether it needs repairs or needs replacing. If you’re unsure of the signs which indicate the need for a replacement, this guide can help.

Performance

A quick signal that there may be an issue with your unit is if its performance diminishes. If you notice that there is more dust in your home, unusual smells, strange sounds, mold, mildew, or increased humidity, it’s in your system’s best interest to call a professional to check over your system and run diagnostic tests. Additionally, if you’re struggling to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, this also calls for a professional to check out your unit.

The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of your system’s air conditioner is an important figure; the higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, and thus the more money you save. You can monitor this figure as a guide for the performance standard of your system.

The overall efficiency of your unit is measured by the AFUE, which is the annual fuel utilization efficiency. This rating calculates the efficiency of your system to convert energy to heat or cold on an average year in your house. The rating is represented by a percentage, and it’s recommended that this figure is at least ninety percent. If this figure falls below ninety and your system is older than ten years, it’s worth considering a replacement.

Repair vs. Replace

It can be easy to see a fault in your system and want to repair it as a quick and cheap fix. However, this could end up costing you more money in the long run. If you’re unsure whether the state of your system warrants a full replacement or needs only a repair, call a professional to check it out.

Benefits of a Replacement

If your system is more than ten years old, it is in the later years of its life expectancy and will likely need replacing soon. In this case, your unit is also not as efficient as it could be. A replacement system with newer, more efficient equipment can make good sense solely on the basis of money saved on energy bills. You’ll often be able to pay off the cost of the investment in a single summer’s worth of energy savings.

Older equipment is prone to more expensive repairs, such as compressors or heat exchangers, and is at risk of clogged or corroding oils. Essentially, paying for repairs when your system is more than ten years old could be a money trap if you’re having to perform more than a few. That’s why it can pay to invest in your equipment with a necessary replacement.

If your HVAC system is acting faulty or is more than ten years old, don’t hesitate to call your local Athens, GA air conditioning company, Acker Heating & Cooling, for an inspection. We’ll let you know whether a repair or replacement is right for you, and we’d love to help either way. Let’s get your home comfortable and efficient!