HVAC Repair and Replacement

What to Know When You're Dealing With Dated HVAC Equipment

If you have an older HVAC system that's facing a big repair, you're probably thinking whether it's more cost-effective to fix the repair or bite the bullet and go for HVAC replacement. Although there are many benefits for AC unit replacement and furnace replacement (including increased HVAC system efficiency), cost is always a top factor to consider. Or should you just keep up with maintenance costs and repairs knowing you may have more problems down the road? Here's your guide on whether to repair or replace your existing HVAC equipment.

Repair or Replace

The High Price of Maintenance Costs and Repairs

Consider how often your existing system requires unexpected maintenance. Those visits from your contractor – plus air conditioner or furnace replacement parts – can really add up. Repairs may seem cost-effective compared to investing in a brand new system, but after a few years, repairs can result in costs that are higher than a new unit. A new system may seem like a big expense at first, but the amount of money saved in maintenance is often worth the investment.

Considerations to keep in mind:

If your system is more than 12 years old, it's probably less efficient than a new system.
You may have a poorly operating HVAC system if you have musty or dry air in your house.
The cost of a new system may be high, but you'll see savings in the long run with lower maintenance costs and repairs and energy savings.

Aging HVAC Systems

Did you know that older HVAC systems can be 50% less efficient than newer systems? Every year that lower level of efficiency costs homeowners more as energy prices rise. Needless to say, you'll get much bigger energy savings with new HVAC systems. These utility savings greatly offset the cost of a new system, especially when considering both the inefficiency and maintenance costs of dated HVAC equipment.

Refrigerant Options

If you have an older air conditioner, chances are it may be be using R-22, a chemical that's mainly used as a refrigerant. To protect the Earth's protective ozone layer, there was an R-22 refrigerant phase-out in 2020, which means it's no longer being produced or imported. If you decide to keep your system, it's important to have it serviced on a regular basis. When more refrigerant is needed, you may be able to find recovered, recycled or reclaimed R-22, although it may be significantly more expensive than refrigerants used in newer systems. When the time is right for replacement, many high-efficiency air conditioners use newer, more environmentally friendly refrigerants.

Here are some alternative refrigerants:

The most common alternative to R-22 is R-410A, a non-ozone-depleting HFC refrigerant blend.
R-410A is manufactured and sold under various trade names, including GENTRON AZ-20®, SUVA® 410A, and PURON®.
EPA reviews alternative refrigerants and maintains a list of acceptable substitutes for household and light commercial air conditioning.

To learn more about the R-22 refrigerant phase-out, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Wondering if you should repair or replace your equipment?

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