What to Know Before Replacing Your Heating System

Your home’s HVAC system is one of its most important features. A professionally installed and maintained heating system ensures comfort, is energy-cost efficient, and increases the market value of your property. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that getting a new HVAC system is a major home improvement project that requires careful deliberation on the homeowner’s part.

We’ve previously discussed the importance of servicing your HVAC system before winter and explained why using an aging furnace can be dangerous. Now we’ll take a look at the key financial aspects you should consider before calling in a heater replacement service in San Diego, CA or the surrounding area. Keep reading to learn more.

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Should I replace my furnace before it dies?

Ideally, you should replace your furnace before it fails completely. This is because most furnaces tend to break down during the colder months, which leaves your home without any heat and forces you to get a replacement in a hurry. This limits your options, causes stress and may cause you to spend more on your new furnace than you would otherwise.

By replacing your furnace during fall or even summer, you’ll have a lot more leeway when it comes to scheduling your heating replacement service, finding a model the right size for your property, and making sure it’s properly installed and ready for the upcoming winter.

Does a new furnace add value to a home?

While a new HVAC system generally won’t recoup its cost during sale, it’s still a key upgrade if you’re planning to sell your property in the next five years. Most buyers are wary of old or outdated furnaces, and will either ask you to adjust your asking price accordingly or replace the unit before proceeding with the deal. In some cases, a furnace on its last legs may even put off prospective buyers.

Another advantage of a new heating system is it provides long-term savings by increasing the energy efficiency of your property. For instance, swapping an old furnace that is 80% efficient with a 96% efficiency model can cut your heating bills by 20%. This will help attract the right kind of buyer, or ensure long-term savings if you’re planning to live in your current home for the foreseeable future.

Other factors to consider include:

Eco-friendliness
Many property buyers are specifically looking for homes that are equipped with environmentally-friendly heating and cooling, solar panel arrays, and other green features.

Size
Modern, compact HVAC systems that take up less space tend to be more appealing to property buyers than older, bulkier units. The furnace should be the right size for your home’s space and heating requirements. Too large of a unit wastes energy and space while one too small may be incapable of heating the house with consistency.

How much does it cost to replace an old heating system?

Unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all answer to this question doesn’t exist. HVAC companies take various variables into account when calculating the price of their heating system replacement services.

These variables include:

• Type of heating system (gas, electric, oil, geothermal, mini-split).
• The cost of removal of the old unit.
• The make and model of the new unit.
• Whether adjustments need to be made to the ductwork.
• Installation fees (every company sets their own), and more.

To get an accurate quote, reach out to a reputable HVAC provider and schedule an on-site consultation at your property. After assessing your existing heating system, the technicians will be able to supply you with a correct estimate.

Is it cheaper to replace a furnace and AC together?

It depends. Although “matched” systems tend to offer the best value for the money, the reality is that replacing both the furnace and air conditioner at the same time may not always be the optimal choice.

Consider these factors:

Age of your AC and furnace
Most modern furnaces and ACs last 15-20 years. However, older models tend to have shorter service lives (10-15 years). Furthermore, the lifespans of your units may be negatively impacted by improper installation, irregular maintenance, heavy use, and other variables. As a rule of thumb, if your AC is over 10 years old and your furnace is over 15, you should have them both replaced at the same time.

AC refrigerant
If your air conditioner uses the discontinued R-22 (Freon) refrigerant, you should consider replacing the AC alongside your furnace even if it isn’t old or broken. Since R-22 is no longer being produced in the US, replacing it after it runs out may not be possible. Getting a newer model not only solves this problem, but also helps protect the environment.

Your future finances
If you’re going into retirement soon, or you have other significant investments coming up, you may not be able to afford a new furnace or air conditioner in the next 5+ years. If this is your situation, going ahead and replacing both units at once gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your new HVAC system will be operating properly for the next 15+ years.

Where can I schedule a dependable heater replacement service in San Diego, CA, and the area?

With a tradition that dates back to 1975 and a team of seasoned and NATE-certified technicians, Action Air Conditioning & Heating Installation is uniquely equipped to provide you with a broad array of HVAC and solar installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance services.

We operate throughout San Diego and South Riverside Counties. It’s all the same to us whether you’re located right next door to Balboa Park or out in La Jolla, Carlsbad, Escondido, Menifee, Lakeside, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, and the nearby communities. You can still trust us to show up at your place at the agreed-upon time and meet your needs with utmost diligence and precision. Contact us and book your on-site consultation today.