Should You Replace or Repair Your HVAC System?

Because of your HVAC system, you can stay comfortable at home all the time. To make sure that your system lasts long, you need to regularly maintain and inspect it.  

Regular visits from a professional HVAC technician can help detect problems before they negatively affect the efficiency of your system. 

If you notice that something is wrong with your unit, hire a professional right away. You might have to replace or repair it. This depends on the problem.  

So, before you hire a Tempe air conditioning company, what do you think is best for your unit? Should you replace or repair it? Let’s find out. 

Is Your Unit Energy-Efficient? 

To calculate the energy efficiency of an HVAC unit, you need to look at its SEER rating. SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.  

If your unit has a high SEER rating, it means that it is good at helping you lower your energy consumption. Nowadays, almost every HVAC unit has a seer rating of 15 or more.  

For example, let’s say you’ve got a 10-year-old unit with a 12 SEER rating. If you choose to upgrade to a unit with a 16 SEER rating, you have the chance to save 20% on your yearly utility bills.  

Are You Spending a Lot on Repairs? 

Try to remember last year. How many times did you hire an HVAC technician for repairs? Frequent repairs are a common indication that your HVAC system is almost at the end of its lifespan.  

Most of the time, a replacement is more cost-effective in the long run compared to fixing your old unit.  

You can ask your HVAC technician about the potential ROI (Return on Investment) of buying a new unit. Also, it is a wise move to ask for a lifetime cost analysis for getting a replacement rather than repairs.  

Do You Maintain Your Unit Regularly? 

Different problems can stem from little-to-no HVAC maintenance. If your system is not maintained well, it’s more susceptible to early failure and malfunction.  

Filthy air filters can have a major influence on the efficiency of your HVAC system, especially if clogged. They can limit airflow. This causes the unit to use more energy to reach the required temperature.  

The additional load on your unit will put additional pressure on the parts. Because your unit is working harder, you might also see an increase in your utility bills. That is why professionals always recommend you change the air filters of your HVAC system. 

How Old is The Unit? 

To figure out the needs of your HVAC system, you need to think about its age. Almost all AC units and heat pumps last for around 10 years. On the other hand, furnaces usually last 15 to 20 years.  

However, there are a couple of other aspects that can influence the performance life of your unit.  

So, is your HVAC system old? Perhaps it already has reached its expected lifespan. If that is the case, it is time for you to install a new HVAC system.  

Keeping Pests Out of Your HVAC System

It’s never a good thing to have pests in your house. This is particularly true when they get inside your HVAC system. Small pests, such as cockroaches, can cause a lot of major issues to your units if they get inside.  

Some pests can chew on wires and cause breakdowns and fires. Dead pests can rot and emit foul odors around your home. Pests can leave droppers that can go airborne and be inhaled.  

As a homeowner, you have to get a clear plan on how to keep your HVAC system free of mice, bugs, and other pests. Fortunately for you, we are here to help. 

Today, we are going to share with you tips on how to prevent pests from entering your heating and cooling Pittsburgh PA system.  

Work with an Expert 

As soon as you notice pests anywhere in your house, the best thing you can do is to immediately hire a professional pest exterminator.  

Aside from being frustrating, having pests in your house is also extremely hazardous. After getting rid of the pest, the next thing you should do is hire a professional HVAC technician to seal and clean your system. 

Seal The Holes 

Sealing up any openings or holes is one great tip on how to prevent pests from entering your HVAC system. The reason for this is that these gaps can possibly be used by pests to gain access to your system.  

Pests will do anything they can to get inside your house. Thus, it’s vital to take the right precautions. If you notice any gap, such as where ductwork runs through, utilize steel wool to prevent pests from using it. You can also seal it completely to prevent small or big critters from gaining access.  

Maintain Your HVAC System Regularly 

Make sure you clean your vents regularly to prevent any form of infestation from happening. Keep in mind that a lot of pests like to nest in areas where there is an accumulation of dust and dirt.  

Thus, you have to keep these areas clean if you want to keep pests from entering your vents.  

Invest in a High-Quality Pest Management Plan 

An excellent way to prevent pests from entering your HVAC system is to utilize IPM. For those who don’t know, IPM is short for Integrated Pest Management. 

This plan will help you prevent pests from entering your house and property. There are tons of guides for this online. These guides will teach you how to get rid of pests out of your HVAC system and more. 

Concentrate on Filtration 

One useful approach to make sure that your HVAC system is free of pests is to add another filter. Today, there are tons of various forms of filters available on the market. Thus, you’ve got to ensure you research and choose a filter that will fit your needs.  

This additional protection can help prevent insect infestation in your HVAC system. This is particularly important if you already experienced this problem before and you don’t want to experience it again.