Texas is a wonderful place to live. Unless it’s July and your HVAC system isn’t working properly to cool down your house. Or it’s a cold January morning and your house feels as cold as the freezing temperatures outside. It might be hard to decide if your need a repair or whether you need a full HVAC replacement.
We at BVS Home Experts want to share five signs that may mean you need to replace your HVAC.
Cost of Repair
Many times, a repair might be minimal. An HVAC professional can look at your system and let you know what needs to be repaired and what it will cost. If a part has become loose, or a fan or filter needs to be replaced, the cost is little. If the condenser is bad or the compressor is faulty, you should probably consider the cost of repair vs. replacement.
The condenser helps remove heat from the outdoor unit. The condenser has many parts, and it could take a while to determine if there is an electrical issue, a refrigerant leak or something could be damaged due to debris entering the unit. The repair cost could add up fast.
The compressor moves refrigerant through the HVAC unit, removing heat and humidity. Dirty coils can cause the compressor to overheat or break down. Replacing the compressor or coils is very costly.
Consumer Reports suggests looking at the cost of repair against the cost of a new unit. If the repair is more than half the cost of a new unit, then it’s time to replace your HAVC.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency matters for the comfort of your family and your pocketbook. Is part of your house the perfect temperature while other parts are too cold or too hot? Does your home seem dustier than usual? Are your energy bills higher than normal? All of these are signs that your HVAC system is not running well. Your unit will run longer and cost you more money each month as it struggles to make your home comfortable.
Loud Noises
All HVAC systems makes some noises as they start up, run, and shut down. Soft humming, blowing and clicking sounds are all completely normal. However, buzzing, banging, hissing, squealing, whistling and bubbling are all sounds you need to pay attention to.
- Buzzing could be a sign that there is debris in the unit, the condenser coil is dirty, or worse, an electrical problem.
- Banging might mean that a component has shifted, or something is loose.
- Hissing might mean the compressor is malfunctioning or that there is a refrigerant leak.
- Squealing might signal high pressure is building up somewhere or that certain components aren’t working and might need to be replaced.
- Whistling can mean low airflow due to dirty filters, or blocked ducts or air vents.
- Bubbling might mean a refrigerant leak.
Running Time
When you return home from a long day’s work, you want your house to be comfortable. If it takes hours for your house to cool down or warm up, you may want to think about HVAC replacement. As units age, they have to work harder, so your system will start up and work more often. Bad coils or a failing blower motor could be the cause of this. But if those parts are ok, then your HVAC is not producing and circulating the air in your home.
Age
A well-maintained HVAC system can last longer than 10 years. Without maintenance, a HVAC system will not even last that long. The older the system gets, components will start to break down and stop functioning at a top level. Your energy bill will also rise as the system will struggle to cool and heat your house.
Cost vs Value
The thought of buying a new HVAC system can be daunting. While it may cost more upfront, a new unit can save you money in the long run. The new system will perform better, taking less time to cool and heat your home. Your energy bill will be lower due to the system being more efficient. With a good regular maintenance plan, you shouldn’t have any repair costs for many years to come with a new unit. Maintenance catches small problems before they become big issues.
No matter what happens, we are here for you at BVS Home Experts. We have certified technicians standing by 24/7 (yes, 24-hour AC service) to ensure you get the maintenance, repair or replacement you need. Make sure your home is comfortable and efficient all year long. Contact BVS Home Experts today to restore your comfort.
Author Bio:
Ronald Via
Ronald is one of the key contributors to BVS Home Experts, a family-owned and operated full-service air conditioning and heating company serving the Katy and West Houston areas. With a deep understanding of air conditioning and heating concerns, Ronald brings a wealth of knowledge to our readers.
