When your heating and cooling system is not working well, your home and business premises become very uncomfortable. Under such circumstances, you can either carry out DIY repairs, or call in a professional to do it for you. Additionally, you need to be able to tell if the situation calls for repairs, or if you have to replace your system altogether. Take note of these tips for more information on whether your system needs to be repaired or replaced below.
Cost
When deciding to repair your system, you need to consider the financial implications. Always go for the option that makes the most sense financially. If it is cheaper for you to have the system repaired, and it will serve you well in the long term, you are better off having it repaired. If not, you should have it replaced, otherwise it will cost you a lot of time, money, comfort and peace of mind in the long run. If the system is also just calling for simple repairs and it still has some life in it, you are better off repairing it instead of replacing it. As a rule of thumb, Consumer Reports recommends that if the cost of repairs of a product exceeds 50 percent of the cost of purchasing a new one, you are better off replacing the system instead of repairing it.
Age
Depending on how old your heating and cooling system is, you can either make the decision to repair it or just replace it. If your system is more than 15 years old, it makes no sense to still have it repaired. Most heating and cooling systems have a lifespan of 10-14 years. If they are older than this, you will simply be wasting your money on repairing an already “dying” system. This will most likely you save you money on your monthly utility bills and the cost of further repairs in future.
Efficiency
Heating and cooling system technologies are always changing to newer systems with better efficiency ratings. New systems are more efficient than systems that were there 10-15 years ago. Your heating and cooling system should feature high SEER and AFUE ratings. With this, you will know you are getting value for money spent on your energy bills every month. As such, if your system is running efficiently, a simple repair will do. If not, you are better off upgrading to a more efficient system. That said, chances are that your current heating and cooling system could benefit from a simple tune-up that will have it running at maximum efficiency within no time
System Performance
Depending on how well your heating and cooling system is performing, you can decide whether it is worth a repair or if it calls for a replacement. If you constantly need to adjust your thermostat to stay comfortable, or if your furnace or air conditioner is making noises when it starts up, or if your air constantly feels stuffy or damp, it is time to replace your system instead of repairing it.
Size and Capacity
If you recently upgraded your home with new windows, roofing and insulation, this will affect the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. As such, if your system is having problems, you may not need to repair it. These improvements to the home will most probably call for a smaller unit. You will, therefore, be better off downgrading to a smaller unit, which will provide you with comfort at lower operating costs.
Many factors go into choosing if and when your heating and cooling system is up for repairs or not. Carefully consider the factors above before calling in a professional to come handle your repairs. You may be better off replacing your system altogether.
Written by the staff of Controlled Aire Heating and Cooling in Moberly, MO.