Repair or Replace? Make the Right Decision for Your HVAC System

Your home’s HVAC system components are bound to wear out over time, even if you’ve made maintenance a priority. When a breakdown occurs and you’re facing a big repair bill, weighing the following factors can help you decide whether it’s better to repair or replace the equipment.

Advanced Age

HVAC system components have expected life spans. If your heat pump or air conditioner is over 10 years old, or you have a furnace that’s more than 15 years old, replacing the equipment rather than paying for an expensive repair is often the wisest option.

Frequent Repairs

As HVAC equipment ages, it’s usual to see a decline in reliability that results in more frequent breakdowns and necessary repairs. Replacing older HVAC components sooner rather than later can give you peace of mind that you won’t be left without heating or cooling by a sudden equipment failure.

Poor Humidity and Temperature Control

If your HVAC system isn’t removing moisture effectively or maintaining a consistent temperature, you’ll start to see mold growth and experience a loss of comfort. An experienced HVAC professional can assess the entire system to pinpoint the cause, such as oversized or aging equipment, ductwork deficiencies, air leaks in the home’s shell or insufficient insulation.

Rising Energy Bills

Investing in new equipment rather than repairing an older HVAC unit offers you an opportunity to boost efficiency and lower your energy consumption and operating costs. If your current HVAC system is more than 10 years old, the energy savings you’ll realize from upgrading can help you recoup the upfront cost.

Declining Air Quality

A critical component that’s often overlooked with older HVAC systems is the ducting that delivers conditioned air. If it’s in poor condition, pollutants and combustion fumes can enter the system from unfinished areas like the attic, garage or crawl space, and erode your air quality. An HVAC contractor can inspect the ducting and advise if sealing and insulating is a viable option or whether replacement is needed.

For expert advice about whether to repair or replace the HVAC system in your Orlando home, contact us at Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “pnDl/Shutterstock”