When is the right time to replace my homes heating and cooling system? This is a question that has been presented to me through-out my career in heating and cooling (HVAC) and there’s a handful of situations that warrant a system replacement. If you have a heating and cooling system that is really old and fails, with costly repairs; it’s usually a good indication that its time to start getting estimates for replacement. Common questions in regards to heating and cooling replacement: • What if my heating and cooling system is old and still functioning? • How old is old for a heating and cooling system? • What if my heating and cooling system has a major failure but it’s still under warranty? • When is it a good time to upgrade to a more efficient heating and cooling system? In this article I’m going to utilize my 30 years of experience in the home heating and cooling business, and give some expertise and insight that will hopefully help answer those questions. What if my heating and cooling system is old and still functioning? Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are made up of several mechanical, and electrical parts and pieces that in work in unison to deliver indoor comfort. These systems employ a lot of moving parts that require routine maintenance (which I’ll cover in a separate article) to continue functioning. Even with routine maintenance these systems can begin to show their age after a decade of run time, sometimes sooner depending on the environment they’re conditioning. The changes may be subtle at first, but over time parts and components begin to wear and you could see a loss in efficiency. This can be diagnosed with proper maintenance from a qualified HVAC technician. If the system is still functioning but showing signs of wear, and causing efficiency loss, then that’s typically a good time to get some quotes for replacement. H ow old is old for a heating and cooling system? How old is old? It depends on who you ask and your systems particular environment its conditioning. Most manufactures will recommend replacement between 10-15 years of general usage. This is where routine maintenance can play a big role in extending the life of your system. I’ve seen systems that hadn’t received routine maintenance and consequently failed after a few years. On the other hand, systems that are getting a regular check up are operating well into 20 years. I would say if your system is at that 12-year mark, I would at least have a plan set aside for a budget to replace or upgrade the equipment portion of your homes heating and cooling systems. This ensures you are taking full advantage of the technological advancements that enable these systems to provide the best comfort and efficiently. What if my heating and cooling system has a major failure but it’s still under warranty? Most manufactures have a standard 5-year warranty on all parts, and the installing contractor will provide a standard 1-year labor warranty. This in most cases will cover any installation defects or discrepancies that cause premature equipment failure at little to no expense to the customer. Manufacture warranties can vary from one another, for example: Most provide the standard 5-year parts warranty but extend that warranty to 10-20 years on major components, such as; compressors, heat exchangers, and coils. Something to keep in mind, if you do opt for a warranted repair most manufacturers do not cover the cost of a systems refrigerant . If a system has been functioning okay up until a major repair is needed, and the materials are covered under a factory warranty, I would opt to go with the repair. Let’s give this example now; Your system has had a sub-par performance and is now in need of a major repair, I recommend at least getting a quote for replacement in addition to the warranty repairs. Also ensure that the sub-par performance issues are addressed in that replacement quote. I recommend discussing all warranty repairs with your HVAC service provider to determine if a warranty repair is a better option, then a replacement. When is it a good time to upgrade to a more efficient heating and cooling system? In the past decade HVAC systems have come a long way in efficiency, comfort, and ease of operation. Systems have evolved to work in conjunction with your smart home, and phone devices, making the process of dialing in your sweet spot of home comfort easy! Not only are most systems easy to control, but they’re utilizing technology that can save you a hefty amount of money in operating costs. To answer this question, I would recommend if your system is around the 10-year mark, now would be a great time to start exploring your upgrade options. Generally, your heating and cooling provider can present a range of HVAC options to meet your upgrade budget, along with providing financing options to assist in those purchases. Final word. Heating and cooling systems are the greatest energy user in your home, making up around 40% of your home’s utility costs! It’s best to do your research when the time comes to replace your HVAC system. Having a little knowledge can help your HVAC service provider quote a system that will meet all your wants and needs. Ask whoever quotes you a new system if they participate in municipal incentives and rebates, this can help drastically reduce the cost burden. Adam Berg, Owner, Allied Comfort Pro, LLC
How much do residential heating and cooling (HVAC - heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) systems cost? This will always be one of the first questions any home comfort shopper will ask when researching a new heating and cooling system. This question gets asked frequently before our team has had a chance to perform a thorough assessment and evaluation of a customer’s home. We understand. Bottom line price matters -- it’s not always the only consideration, but it is important. Price often dictates the type of HVAC system and any options and accessories you might consider to improve your indoor air quality. An initial budget needs to be established before any large investment, and it holds true when purchasing the right home comfort system. It’s difficult to answer this question so early in the HVAC purchasing process, because HVAC installations have so many variables to take into account. It is often difficult to know the price before a qualified professional has had the opportunity to assess your home, and address the approach to see if the installation will require any special needs or non-standard installation work. At Allied Comfort Pro, we strive to provide our customers with the best, most informed estimate to suit all of our customer’s indoor comfort needs. I will do my best to offer a realistic range of prices , based on real-world installations for the greater Rogue Valley area to date (year 2023). Before I get into price, we need to consider some other factors that determine HVAC price directly, and they are the following: Square footage (plays a large part in determining the equipment size) Single or multi-story HVAC system type (conventional, attic, ductless) Ductwork Geographical area Available utilities Municipal incentives Retrofit replacement or new construction Please keep in mind all prices for installations, accessories, or anything else, are only estimates based on the average Southern Oregon home. Prices can and will often vary dramatically based on the products quoted, and the bullet points above as well as many other factors. How much does a HVAC system cost? Most residential HVAC systems will range in cost from $7,500 to $50,000 to install currently (year 2023) – this price generally includes the installation along with equipment, materials, opted accessories, permits and sub-contractor (electricians and plumbers). As with any home improvement project this price range can increase dramatically as you add more options and accessories; ducting, air cleaners, ERV’s, HRV’s, UV lights, and so on. In some cases, the customer’s home may only require minimal equipment to satisfy their comfort needs so the price can drop below the minimum amount. Minimal equipment, or supplemental systems If an air conditioning unit is deemed safe in good condition, and meets local code compliance our Comfort Consultant may suggest just replacing the gas furnace portion of the HVAC system, then you can see a drop below the minimum price range listed above. Another example would be if a customer is looking to condition a small portion of a home, or an addition that was added, then our Comfort Consultant may recommend a single zone ductless system; $3,500 to $8,500 . Base system price Typically, a base system installation will include: Indoor unit (gas furnace, heat pump air handler) Wi-Fi enabled system control (thermostat) Outdoor unit (air conditioner, heat pump) Refrigerant line-set (connection between indoor and outdoor units) Outdoor equipment pad Transitional ducting to connect equipment to existing home ductwork Installation Permits One year of system maintenance Most base system packages don’t include additional accessories such as; air purification, additional ducting, or extended labor warranties. Typically, prices for a base system install can range from $7,500 to $25,000 . This is a pretty big range, but there is a wide variety of system types and home configurations to take in account. High efficiency and custom-built home system price High efficiency and custom-built home systems typically have a higher range in price because of the higher cost of equipment and the added accessories typically specified for these systems. A typical price range for these systems is $9,000 to $60,000 . Prices have risen since 2022 due to multiple factors, such as a surge in demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic , supply chain issues, equipment shortages, and a shortage of qualified technicians . These all play a part in the cost to heat and cool your home. Again, everything here is simply an estimate , and your final price may look much different. I hope this has helped develop a better sense for the potential costs of installing heating and cooling in your home, and what to expect when you start the home comfort buying process. At Allied Comfort Pro my team and I are happy to help you get an actual price for your home comfort system. You can get started by contacting us to schedule an in-home assessment today! Adam Berg, Owner, Allied Comfort Pro, LLC
As summer gives way to fall, now is the time to make sure your HVAC system is ready for the seasonal change. It's important that your system is efficient and dependable, so it doesn't give out when you need it most. While it is recommended a professional regularly maintain your HVAC system, here are some things you can do at home to prep your system, so it runs smoothly: Check all air filters and replace them, if necessary. Verify your thermostat settings are correct to meet seasonal temperature changes. Clean off your outdoor unit and remove any brush or debris on or around it. Cover any exterior exposed condensate drain pipes. In addition to these tips, don’t forget to call us to schedule your fall HVAC maintenance. We’ll thoroughly check your system and address any issues, so you can be comfortable at home and enjoy the best indoor air quality possible. Now may also be the time to consider replacing your HVAC system. Was your furnace installed more than 10 years ago? If so, it is likely to run less efficiently, costing you more every month than a new unit would. Instead of waiting for a system failure or emergency replacement you can benefit from being proactive; you'll enjoy lower heating bills, better reliability, and renewed warranty coverage by replacing your furnace. High-efficiency models are up to 97% efficient which can certainly help out on those utility bills. White it can certainly be an investment to replace your HVAC system, it can give you peace of mind that comes from knowing your home will not be without heat in the middle of winter. Our Comfort Consultants are here to provide free estimates on system replacement and can offer you customized advice on the best HVAC system for your home. Whether it's time to schedule HVAC maintenance or you want to upgrade your system, we are here to help! Contact us today to schedule the services you need. We can be reached at (541) 772-6100. Our office is open Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm and we also offer 24-Hour Emergency Service Repair. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Comfortable!