When it comes to saying cool in the summer and warm in the winter your air conditioner and furnace play a significant role. A proper HVAC system can help ensure that your home remains comfortable no matter the conditions outside.
However, no matter how good your system, it becomes necessary to replace even the most premium equipment after some time. Without the proper knowledge, replacing your furnace and the air conditioner is a daunting task. There are several different costs and expenses that you’ll need to cover.
The average cost for an HVAC replacement is between $4500 to $15000. There’s such a wide discrepancy between the upper and lower limit because of many different variables that affect the cost.
These factors include the efficiency, strength, and size of the replacement unit and the installation cost. The more complex the installation process, the more you’re going to have to pay.
Learning about the average cost won’t give you the complete picture as you need to consider many other important details. Keep reading to learn more about the average cost of furnace and air conditioner replacement!
Should I Replace My 15-year-Old Furnace?
The U.S Department of Energy states that, on average, you should replace your furnace after 15 to 30 years. The number may vary depending on the brand, quality, efficiency of the furnace, and other variables.
However, it’s a good idea to start considering that you need to replace after 15 years as a general rule. They’ll start to showcase increased wear and tear levels that will require you to pay increasing repair costs gradually.
Depending on the situation, it may be less costly to replace the entire unit than pay for continual repairs. However, finding that balance is difficult for non-professionals. An old furnace may work for longer than its lifespan with the proper repairs. It’s the same as running an old-car.
You’ll have to take it in for repairs frequently, and even after the repairs, it won’t fulfill your needs the same way as a new replacement. This principle applies particularly to furnaces that have seen more than 15 years of use. If your furnace is younger than 15-years, then you should go for repairs over replacement.
However, in the case that the furnace is older than 15 years, there are several reasons why you should consider getting a replacement. Aside from the furnace’s age and the frequency of repairs, there a few other advantages to replacing your 15-year-old furnace.
Lower Utility Bills
Like all industries, HVAC technology has seen significant upgrades over time. If your furnace is older than fifteen years, it’s likely inefficient in comparison to modern offerings.
By replacing the furnace with a newer model, you’ll be looking at lower utility bills every single month. Modern furnaces offer much more efficient performance; they help ensure that the house remains comfortable during the winter without using the same energy level.
Home Is More Comfortable
A 15-year-old furnace will struggle to maintain an adequately comfortable environment in the household. Even with the necessary repairs, it won’t provide your home with the same comfort levels as a modern HVAC system. To ensure that your house remains comfortable throughout the winter months, replacing your 15-year-old furnace is a good idea.
Peace Of Mind
Lastly, one of the main reasons you should consider replacing your 15-year-old furnace has to do with your peace of mind. With an old furnace, you’ll find yourself constantly worrying about the performance and when it might break down next. Getting a replacement furnace will save you from all the unnecessary stress!
How Do You Know If Your Furnace Is Going Bad?
Even for those that are unfamiliar, there several sure-shot signs that indicate your HVAC system is going bad. Keeping an eye out for these signals will ensure that you can easily determine when your HVAC system will need replacing.
Increasing Illnesses in the Household
An HVAC system that’s going bad can contribute to great instances of cold and flu-like symptoms in the household. Aging HVAC systems tend to emit excess carbon monoxide due to a leak in the gas heat or inadequate ventilation. Carbon monoxide buildup in the household can affect your family members and can make people sick. High levels of carbon monoxide can be deadly.
Age
Even if you perform regular maintenance of the HVAC system in your household, nothing is going to last forever. As the HVAC system grows in age, it starts to go bad.
One of the biggest issues is that many people don’t exactly know the age of their furnaces. If you don’t know your furnace’s age, you can find out by checking the labels on the unit. On average, the age of the furnace ranges between 15 to 20 years.
Higher Electricity Bills
A sure shot sign of an aging furnace is that it becomes much less efficient and leads to higher utility bills. Due to the system not being able to perform as efficiently as it did before, it also sees a lot more use and greater fuel consumption.
While it requires more energy, an HVAC system going bad will fail to provide adequate heating or cooling. You can choose to repair the furnace, but it’s unlikely that it’ll reach its prime level of performance again!
Unusual Noises
When you get a new HVAC system, it barely makes any noise. However, furnaces that are getting along in age will make a lot of strange noises. These noises can range from being slightly annoying to being unbearable.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to identify the reasons behind the noises without calling in an HVAC professional. Whenever you hear noises coming from the system, you should call in a professional to assess whether you need repairs or a replacement.
Faulty Temperature Control
Almost all HVAC systems come with a thermostat that allows homeowners to adjust the temperature according to their needs. However, on aging furnaces, the thermostat can stop working completely.
Luckily, you can replace the thermostat on your furnace with newer models. These offer better temperature control and nifty energy-saving features as well!
How Long Does A Furnace Last On Average?
While there may be some instance of a furnace lasting for more than 40 years, the average lifespan is between 15-30 years. If you schedule regular yearly maintenance checks for the furnace, it can last for more than 15 years.
Aside from the frequency of maintenance, a few other factors impact how long the furnace will last. Here are some of the factors that impact the lifespan of your furnace.
Model
A major factor that plays a role in determining a furnace’s lifespan is the make and model. Some brands are better known in the industry for producing HVAC systems that perform better and last longer.
There will also be differences in the models that the companies offer. More efficient systems will last longer than less efficient ones. Additionally, modern systems have much longer lifespans than older systems!
Moisture Levels
It’s important to have proper ventilation systems around your HVAC system to ensure that it doesn’t take too much moisture. Moisture is a one-way ticket to breakdowns for most machines, and the same holds for your furnace. It’s important to ensure that furnace is kept in an area with proper ventilation systems.
Without a proper ventilation system, it’s possible for there to be too much moisture around the machine and cause its internal components to rust. The rust will help cause more premature breakdowns.
Installation Quality
Getting the right people to come in and install your HVAC system is super important. Statistics indicate that 20-30% of all new HVAC systems are installed incorrectly.
When the installation isn’t correct, the HVAC system’s efficiency goes down by a significant margin. The loss in efficiency will also contribute to premature breakdowns and unsatisfactory performance.
When an HVAC system is installed correctly, it performs to its fullest capability while remaining efficient in the long-run. The installation day is one of the most important days in the lifespan of HVAC systems. It plays a major role in determining how long the system is going to last in the future.
Is it Best to Replace the Furnace and AC at the Same Time?
While you can replace your furnace and ac simultaneously, it’s not always the best course of action. Replacing both systems together is expensive and can end up costing a significant amount of money. However, replacing them simultaneously is the only way you can ensure the air condition performs at its rated efficiency levels.
The problem is compounded by the fact that air conditioning systems and furnaces have different lifespans. On average, a furnace can last between 15-30 years, while an air conditioning system has a lifespan of between 15-20 years. A furnace can potentially last twice as long as an air conditioning unit.
To better understand why it’s sometimes a good idea to replace both together, and sometimes it isn’t, let’s look at both scenarios in detail.
Replacing AC and Furnace at the Same Time
Air conditioning units rely on the blower, a part of the furnace, to blow cool air throughout the home. It’s also important to ensure that there’s proper airflow through the evaporator coil and heat exchanger. The air conditioning unit can’t perform at the rated efficiency without a matching blower.
If you choose to replace your air conditioner with a high-efficiency unit with a SEER rating above 16, it won’t match your older furnace’s blower motor. That’ll result in an inefficient system that doesn’t perform to its maximum potential. While it may cost more, you won’t need to worry about any repairs or replacement for some time.
Not Replacing AC and Furnace at the Same Time
The only situation where you can effectively not replace the AC and furnace at the same time is if the furnace is less than ten years old. Furnaces less than ten years old feature stronger blower motors capable of supporting modern air conditioning units and letting them work at their maximum potential.
How Much Does a New Commercial HVAC System Cost?
A new HVAC system’s average cost can range between $6,000 to $12,000 for a 1,000 sq ft area. Many different factors contribute to the price of a commercial HVAC system. Here’s a look at some of the variables that impact a replacement system’s price.
Brand
Many HVAC companies that operate in the commercial industry offer varying rates thanks to the diverse array of equipment available. Some companies can even help you make a flexible HVAC system that addresses all your needs. The price becomes variable because the HVAC companies can use different supplies and equipment providers depending upon their client.
Type of Unit
There are multiple different types of HVAC systems that use different technologies to operate. The three main systems are the Variable Air Volume System, Constant Air Volume System, and the Variable Refrigerant Volume System. Each type of unit uses a different technology and is available at differing prices.
Labor Costs
The installation of HVAC systems also factors into the pricing. Some systems have complex installation requirements that can lead to a price. At the same time, others are easier to install and cost less as a result!
Type of Business
The nature of the business has a significant impact on the requirements of the HVAC system. Restaurants are going to have different requirements than what a small office is going to require. As a result, the business’s nature will have a significant impact on the HVAC estimates that the organization receives.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about the average cost of replacing the furnace and air conditioning, you can effectively get your home ready to deal with summers and winters. It’s a good idea to replace your HVAC system because it means you can rest easy for the next 15-20 years without worrying about any repair or replacement!