When it comes to matters of house and home, your HVAC system is one of those features that may as well be invisible.
It’s easy to tell that the sink needs replacing or that the countertop needs to go. But your air conditioner or your furnace? Those are appliances that run in the background.
As a result, it’s possible for a homeowner to not realize they need a new HVAC system until they’re freezing indoors in the winter or sweltering in the summer heat with a non-responsive appliance.
Fortunately, if you know what to look for, it’s possible to spot signs of trouble early and plan accordingly. Here are 3 signs that you may have to replace your HVAC sooner rather than later.
1. Your Heating and Cooling Bills Are Going Up
If your house seems to be cooling and heating at more or less the same pace while your energy bills are climbing up, your HVAC setup could be the hidden culprit.
A 2019 academic article observed that even though a faulty HVAC system may still “function” in the sense that it’ll be operational while providing cooling and heating, one of the signs that the system is becoming inefficient is increased energy usage.
To be clear, not every energy bill increase is the result of an aging air conditioner. Fall weather can turn into winter weather very suddenly and if you had guests over or had a particularly cold month, your energy bill may reflect that. But on the other hand, if you’re noticing a consistent upward trend despite no obvious changes on your part, this could be an early sign that you need to replace your HVAC.
2. It’s Taking Your Air Conditioner A Longer Time To Cool Your House
Have you ever noticed how age can make it harder to do the things you used to do? In the same way that climbing stairs may have you breathing a little heavier and moving a little slower in your 40s compared to your 20s, an aging HVAC appliance can go through a similar process before finally tapping out.
So if you’re noticing that your formerly whisper-quiet and lightning-fast air conditioner is starting to rattle while taking longer to cool your house, it could be a warning sign that you may need to upgrade your HVAC sooner rather than later.
3. Your Appliances Are Aging
Perhaps the clearest sign that your HVAC appliances may need replacing is if you’ve had the same items for a while.
Although there’s something to be said for being frugal, ENERGY STAR recommends replacing heat pumps and air conditioners after 10 years and furnaces and boilers after 15.
With big names like Sam’s Club making it easier to affordably upgrade your HVAC, homeowners can find and hire experienced contractors without too much trouble. So whether it’s your furnace, your air conditioner, or some combination of both that’s causing issues, upgrading your HVAC system doesn’t have to be a long and complicated process.
Conclusion
According to ENERGY STAR, approximately half of the $2,200 American families spend on energy each year goes to heating and cooling.
However, when your air conditioner is quietly humming in the background, it’s easy to forget about your HVAC setup until the day it needs to be replaced. Don’t wait until you’re sweltering in the summer heat with a dead air conditioner to make these assessments. Spot potential problems with your heating and cooling appliances early and start planning accordingly. You’ll be glad you did.