Year-round comfort depends largely on whether your heating and air conditioning systems are functioning properly – meaning they are keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
If it’s time for you to replace your heating or cooling system, you may think it’s better to simply replace the system that is giving you problems. What many people don’t realize though is that replacing both systems at once can actually save you both money and energy in the long run.
Having improperly sized air conditioners in your home will lead to inefficient cooling, increased wear and tear on the system, and higher energy bills. That’s why when replacing your unit, we will begin by doing a full load calculation, to find the perfect fit unit for your home. This will account for the home’s square footage, insulation, orientation, layout, and load-generating appliances so we can determine exactly how much cooling power is needed.
How Do I Know If My System Needs to Be Replaced?
One of the first ways to determine if your system needs to be replaced is considering how long you’ve had your system. On average, a furnace will last 15-20 years, while a central air conditioning system will last 12-15 years.
Another clue that it may be time to replace your air conditioning unit or furnace is by looking at your energy bills. If your bills have gone up significantly, this can serve as a sign that your unit is working overtime and needs to be replaced. If you find that the temperature in your home is never quite right, this is also a good indicator.
Needing frequent repairs or noticing strange sounds coming from your unit are also sure signs that the life of your unit is coming to an end and it’s time to say goodbye.
Benefits of Replacing Your AC Unit and Furnace Together
One of the potential advantages of installing a new furnace and air conditioning system at the same time is that it’s more energy efficient. Today’s heating and air conditioning systems are highly efficient and use much less energy than older systems.
With matched equipment (Furnace and AC) you will be sure that all are operating at the same performance level. If you have an older air conditioning unit and brand new furnace, the overall performance of your HVAC system is impacted and full benefits from the new furnace will not be realized.
Finally, , it’s actually more cost-efficient to replace the entire unit as common work items may have to be replaced twice if the AC and furnace are not replaced at the same time. So you will be paying twice for material and labor for the same work. Furthermore, if your units are located in hard to reach areas, it will make more sense to replace both at the same time, since the installation labor for these areas is typically higher than a standard installation.
When Shouldn’t I Replace Both Systems at Once?
There are some instances where it may not make sense to replace both your furnace and AC unit. For example, if one of your units is less than 10 years old, it’s better to wait on replacing that particular unit.
When our technicians come to your home to evaluate your system, they will assess the other system and give you advice on whether it is ideal for you to replace both or just one system.
To schedule an appointment, contact us today at (516) 341-0117 or fill out our form online.
