Is it Time to Upgrade Your HVAC System?

Is It Time To Upgrade Your HVAC System?

by Carrie Privette, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 9:39 PM

Are you considering replacing your central AC unit? If you haven’t thought about it yet, upgrading your central AC system can bring a number of benefits into your home. Here are two ways in which an updated system can ensure that you are happy in your home:

1. Safety and Health

2. Cost Efficiency

Safety & Health

Fire Hazards

Old power sources and aging electrical wiring could eventually pose a fire hazard. The National Fire Protection Association reported 7,200 cases of fire damage in the U.S. from 2006 - 2010 alone. 33% of these fires were caused by ignition of old wire. Part of the process of upgrading an HVAC unit is inspecting the wires which had been obscured by the old unit.

Indoor Environment Quality

Your HVAC system is essential to providing a safe living environment. If your unit isn’t matched to your home or has simply worn out, humidity may become a concern. While it may bring immediate discomfort, high levels humidity are unsafe because they can facilitate the growth of mold and may lead to respiratory problems with the members of your home. There are many options that will offer your home cleaner air without replacing your current system. But, there are also times when installing a completely new system with a reputable technician may best ensure that your air is clean and kept at a good relative humidity.

Cost Efficiency

Heating and cooling makes up about 40% of the energy expense of an average home. This cost can easily get out of hand if something goes wrong with an old system. Assuming that an old system is still running to the best of its ability, though, is it worth the extra cost to update it?

There are a number of factors to be considered when it comes to the cost effectiveness of switching systems. The biggest indicator of a system’s efficiency is its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). The energy consumption of two units can be compared by dividing the difference in the SEER ratings of two units by the larger SEER number.

For Example: Let’s compare a very old unit with an 8 SEER rating to one with a 14 SEER rating.

14(SEER) - 8(SEER)= 6(SEER)

6(SEER)/14(SEER)= 42.8% greater efficiency

Theoretically, the 14 SEER unit could provide a savings of 42.8% compared to the 8 SEER unit; there are other factors to be considered, but this SEER calculation does provide a good estimate. You can check out a SEER savings calculator here.

Below is an older 8 SEER system upgraded to a 16 SEER system by Privette Heating and Air.

A reputable HVAC service provider, like Privette Heating and Air, can evaluate your home and its unique needs in order to better determine if making a switch to a new unit is a good way to save in the long run.