Signs Your HVAC System Needs an Upgrade – Not Just a Repair
Utah’s extremely cold winters and dry, hot summers mean plenty of hard work for our furnaces and air conditioners. Our home’s HVAC systems endure a lot of stress in the quest to keep us comfortable. That stress takes its toll over many years of reliable service. At some point, every system needs an upgrade. Repairs will no longer cut it.
Here is the million-dollar question: how do you know? Unless you are an HVAC expert yourself, you need to rely on a heating and cooling provider to advise you on how to proceed when your HVAC system breaks down. But the technician could tell you anything, right?
SameDay is happy to provide comprehensive furnace and air conditioner repairs throughout the Salt Lake City area. But we also know that there are times when upgrades make more sense. With that in mind, we have put together a list of signs suggesting that an upgrademakes more sense than ongoing repairs.
Sign #1: Considerable Age
Like our bodies, HVAC systems break down with age. The older they get, the more prone to breakage they are. At some point, it is no longer financially feasible to continue putting money into repairs. That point generally occurs at the 10–15-year mark.
A general rule in our industry suggests that a furnace or air conditioner over 15 years old should be replaced. It is no longer as efficient as it once was. So between ongoing repair costs and inefficient service, the unit is likely to cost more than replacement.
Sign #2: Steadily Rising Utility Bills
Because HVAC units tend to lose efficiency with age, a unit nearing retirement will use more energy to keep you comfortable. This points to the next sign: steadily rising utility bills.
If your HVAC unit’s energy consumption rises even though there appears to be no mechanical malfunction with the unit, the chances are pretty good that it is simply wearing out. Its lack of efficiency is forcing you to throw money away on heating and cooling.
Sign #3: Frequent Breakdowns and Repairs
An HVAC system that breaks down frequently can quickly become a money pit. So frequent breakdowns and subsequent repair bills are sufficient reason to at least consider an upgrade. After all, how much more do you want to spend on keeping a broken-down system going?
In fairness, even newer systems can break down frequently if they are installed incorrectly or are not well matched to the home. But an HVAC technician should be able to correct those sorts of problems to diminish future breakdowns. Either way, repairing your furnace or air conditioner every few months makes little sense.
Sign #4: Inconsistent Temperature Control
Inconsistent temperature control does not always indicate the need for an upgrade, but it is a symptom worth paying attention to. Inconsistent temperatures throughout your home could indicate any number of issues, ranging from weak airflow to a bad thermostat to a blower system nearing end-of-life.
It is possible that a technician could fix the problem with a replacement part. But it’s also possible that your system is just getting too old to keep up. If a few fixes do not solve the problem, it might be time to invest in an upgrade.
Here at SameDay, we truly don’t want you spending more money than you need to on your furnace or air conditioner. We always do our best to provide the most cost-effective service. But when it’s time to upgrade, we want to be here to help you make a wise decision. It is what we do.
