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Are you tired of dealing with high energy bills or your Dallas-Fort Worth home often being too hot or too cold? Older HVAC systems often have a variety of issues in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
Nonetheless, many people put off replacing their HVAC system for far too long simply due to the high cost involved with installing a new system. While replacing your HVAC system is never going to be cheap, it can definitely be worth it for all of these reasons.
Reduced Heating/Cooling Costs
The biggest and most obvious benefit of installing a higher-efficiency HVAC system is that it will use less energy, allowing you to reduce how much it costs to heat and/or cool your home. The reason we say and/or is that traditional HVAC equipment like furnaces and central ACs can only heat or cool, whereas heat pumps can do both.
Upgrading to a heat pump is an especially great choice, as it will use far less energy than a furnace or really any other type of heating. In Texas, you’ll likely see at least a 25-50% reduction in your heating bills with a heat pump compared to any of your other options. Some heat pumps, especially VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) units, also use much less electricity than traditional ACs.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Replacing an outdated, inefficient HVAC system with a new, higher-efficiency system is also an easy way to lower your carbon footprint and help protect the environment. This is especially true if you swap out an old gas or electric furnace for a heat pump. One great thing about heat pumps compared to gas furnaces is that they don’t produce carbon emissions, making them a much more eco-friendly choice.
Even just upgrading to a new AC or furnace can still make a big difference, since it will almost certainly use less energy than your existing unit does. One reason is just that technology has advanced to the point where the majority of new units are more efficient than even ones produced 10-15 years ago. The other reason is that old HVAC equipment tends to have various issues that contribute to a decrease in performance and thus an increase in energy usage.
Improved Home Comfort
The decreased performance that you tend to get with older HVAC equipment also tends to lead to issues with your indoor comfort, such as hot/cold spots or constant temperature fluctuations. For instance, your HVAC system may not run long enough or circulate air around your house effectively enough to fully cool or heat every room.
Similarly, it could develop issues that occasionally lead it to run longer than necessary, resulting in some parts of the house getting too cold in the summer or too hot in the winter.
A new, higher-efficiency HVAC system will work better and circulate air more effectively around your house, helping to eliminate issues you may have with your existing system. Upgrading to a two-stage or, especially, a variable-speed system will provide even greater benefits in terms of both your comfort and your energy bills.
The majority of older HVAC systems are a single-stage system that has only one speed or power setting. Two-stage systems mostly run on the lower setting, ensuring the conditioned air gets circulated more evenly while also reducing energy consumption. A variable-speed system will usually run almost non-stop during hotter or colder days and continually adjust its speed to further reduce how much energy it uses. Running for longer times at a lower speed also ensures that each part of the house receives sufficient airflow without ever getting too cold or too hot.
Avoiding Costly HVAC Repairs
One final thing to note about higher-efficiency HVAC systems is that they usually experience less wear and are under less strain simply because they provide more effective heating/cooling. Lower-efficiency systems always take longer to heat and/or cool, resulting in increased strain that often causes certain components to fail or wear out more quickly.
An even bigger issue is that the system will have to cycle on and off more often throughout the day. This will further increase the chances of major issues arising, such as a motor burning out.
While installing a new HVAC system is a major investment, it can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. That’s not only because it will lower your energy bills, but also because it will be far less likely to break down and require you to pay to have it repaired.
Your new system will also come with a manufacturer’s warranty that will help to cover at least some of the costs should it break down due to a defect. The system might have a major issue like a failed compressor or cracked heat exchanger. If so, you can even use the warranty to help cover some of the costs of installing a new replacement.
Tax Credits and Rebates
When installing a new HVAC system, you may be tempted to just go with the cheapest, most basic system available. While taking this route may save you a bit upfront, you will almost always be better off choosing a higher-efficiency system in the long run. One reason is just that the amount you’ll save on your energy bills will most likely offset the increased cost of a higher-efficiency system long term.
The other reason is that there are numerous incentives available when you install a higher-efficiency system. For instance, many local utility companies offer rebates for homeowners who install high-efficiency equipment or when switching from a furnace to a heat pump. Many HVAC manufacturers offer their own rebates for higher-efficiency equipment as well.
You can also qualify for a credit on your federal income taxes by installing a high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR-rated furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Gas furnaces and air conditioners are eligible for a rebate worth up to $600 each, while heat pumps are eligible for a credit of up to $2,000. This tax credit means you can potentially get a higher-efficiency unit for around the same price as you would normally pay for a less-efficient unit.
However, it’s important to note that this amount is only a credit that you can apply to whatever you owe on your next year’s federal income taxes. To qualify for the credit, the system also has to be installed by a licensed HVAC company and meet the necessary energy-efficiency requirements for your region.
Contact Us Today
For over 40 years, On Time Experts has been one of the DFW area’s most trusted HVAC and plumbing companies. Our team is dedicated to providing outstanding air conditioning and heating services and working to meet each customer’s specific home comfort needs. We specialize in HVAC installation and carry a range of air conditioners, heat pumps and furnaces perfectly suited for any home.
Before performing the installation, we’ll take the time to discuss your options with you, evaluate your home, and help ensure you get something that works for your home and your budget. We also offer financing options for new installations on approved credit.
For more information on the benefits of upgrading your HVAC system or to receive assistance in selecting the right replacement, please contact us today.
