Homeowners
Indoor Comfort Systems
Helpful Tips
Most decisions to either repair or replace home heating and cooling systems, or water heaters, are made when the system or unit fails, usually during the height of the heating or cooling season when comfort is critical. Little time is available to analyze options or interview contractors. As a result, decisions to repair or replace these systems are based on who is first available and how much money the homeowner can spare at that moment, and not on good evaluation and planning.
Typically, when your system fails, the highest priority is to quickly get it operating again to restore comfort — not to optimize performance. The costs associated with this type of hasty decision-making can be high, resulting in elevated operational costs, poor equipment performance, and unreliable service.
The alternative to first-cost, rushed decision-making is to have a plan in place before your heating or cooling system fails. This will ensure that yourdecisions will be both quick and cost effective. A sound plan can also reduce your energy costs for years to come.
To begin, answer these questions:
- Is your current air conditioner/furnace more than 10 years old?
- Are you using more energy than in past years?
- Does your equipment need to be repaired every year?
- Is your central heating and cooling system noisy?
- Are some rooms in your home too warm or too chilly?
- Does your home seem humid, which is caused by poor system operation or leaky ductwork
- Does your home get dusty when you operate your central air conditioning system? This could also mean that your ductwork needs to be inspected and possibly sealed, or that your filter needs to be replaced.
Next, if you answered “yes” to a few of these questions, you may want to consider consulting with a qualified heating and cooling contractor. Click here to find a local contractor that employs NATE-certified technicians.
A contractor will further examine your existing system to assess performance, projected maintenance requirements and estimated remaining life. They also should ensure that current unit is sized correctly for your home. An oversized unit can reduce efficiency by up to 50 percent.