My A/C or furnace has stopped working. Should I repair or replace it?
Generally speaking, your A/C or furnace system has an approximate 10 – 15 years lifespan. And, like all home appliances, as they get older, their ability to optimally heat and cool your home can diminish significantly. Regardless of whether you’ve kept your A/C or furnace system well-maintained throughout the years, it may cost you more on your monthly energy bill and the cost of repairs over time compared to purchasing a new system altogether.
Additionally, a new A/C or finance system that is brand new will consistently outperform an older system. Therefore, homeowners should evaluate the age of their A/C or furnace system and take a look at their energy bill to see if they notice any increases. That way, you can better determine if investing in a new HVAC system will save you more money in the long run, rather than settling for temporary fixes.
How can upgrading my HVAC system reduce energy costs?
As mentioned, regardless of how old your residential HVAC system is and how well-maintained you have kept it throughout the years, installing a new HVAC system rather than repairing it will provide you with more energy savings moving forward. This is mainly due to new HVAC systems outperforming older technology. In addition, when older HVAC systems are damaged, they will use more energy to heat or cool your home than normal, thus increasing your energy bill.
Therefore, when updating the HVAC system in your home, homeowners will want to make sure the new system they choose to install has an ENERGY STAR certification as it guarantees lower carbon emissions while saving your money. Homeowners should also ensure they partner with a professional HVAC installation company when upgrading their system, as an incorrect installation can lead to several problems, including an increase in energy costs.
How do I know whether I need a gas furnace, central air conditioner, central heat pump, or ductless system?
There are numerous types of HVAC systems available for your home, including gas furnaces, central air conditioners, central heat pumps, and ductless systems. However, if you’ve never invested in a replacement system for your home, it can be challenging to choose which one will provide you with the most benefits.
As a rule of thumb, if your home is larger than 2,500 square feet, homeowners should consider installing a central A/C and heat pump system as a ductless system will be inefficient in heating and cooling your home effectively. On the other hand, if your home is less than 2,000 square feet, a ductless system will have enough power to cool or heat your home.
Further, if you have natural gas throughout your home, chances are you have a gas furnace as well. If this is true, it may be easier to stay with a gas furnace than a central heat pump in terms of the installation process. However, gas furnaces are commonly more expensive to operate compared to a heat pump that runs on electricity. Therefore, it is best that you speak with a professional HVAC company to determine which system will work best for your home to ensure it operates efficiently and saves you money moving forward.
What is a BTU, and how much do I need?
BTU is an energy unit that stands for British Thermal Units. It measures the approximate energy required to heat one pound of water. Accordingly, heating one pound of water is equivalent to needing 1 degree Fahrenheit. When it comes to heating and cooling systems, this measurement refers to how much energy is required to either heat or cool the area of your home.
Factors that have an impact on how many British Thermal Units are required to heat or cool your home include:
- The climate and weather of where your home is located
- The average square feet of your home, along with the size of each room throughout your home and its layout
- The age, quality, and materials your home is built from
Therefore, before purchasing a new HVAC system for your home, it’s important that homeowners consider the above-noted factors in choosing a system that is the correct size for their home while keeping energy costs as low as possible.
In the end, this will help your HVAC system function optimally while keeping your home at a comfortable temperature without using large amounts of energy to do so.
Are you ready for a new HVAC system? Call the team at Wardlaw Heating & Cooling or book a free home consultation for your Sault Ste Marie HVAC repair and replacement needs today!
Boiler vs Furnace 
