The cost of your HVAC system repair and the uncertainty of possibly more repairs down the road are generally the reasons for the “repair or replace” quandary. Looking down the road, so to speak, is actually where you want to go. Use these tips to help navigate your options.
Repair Cost, ROI, and Lifetime Cost
A helpful tool to help make your decision of repairing or replacing your HVAC system is considering lifetime cost. Lifetime cost is the sum of the estimated investment for a new HVAC system less manufacturer and contractor incentives, plus installation costs, estimated energy expenses, and the estimated repairs for the life of the replacement unit.
You’ll compare the lifetime costs of a new system to the expected remaining life span of your current system, including the repair costs, estimated energy expenses, and the best estimate of future repair costs.
For example, if your repaired heat pump is estimated to last five more years with, perhaps, another major repair on the horizon, a new high-efficiency system may actually save you money for the next five years, and you’ll enjoy superior comfort. Your HVAC technician can crunch the numbers for you.
Indoor Air Quality and Comfort
Indoor air quality (IAQ) and home comfort are two more important factors to consider. Poor IAQ and comfort, due to excessive airborne contaminants and uneven air pressure and temperatures, are often signs of additional HVAC problems.
Duct design plays a pivotal role in IAQ and home comfort. If you have leaky ducts, blockages, or even a clogged air filter, you’re going to experience IAQ and comfort problems. Additionally, your HVAC problem may have been due to or exacerbated by an interdependent HVAC component. You should make sure you only have one HVAC repair to deal with.
At Wolff Mechanical, our complete spectrum of HVAC system services, from on-site duct fabrication to system diagnostics, design, and installation, puts us ahead of the pack in central Arizona. Contact us today for your HVAC evaluation, repair estimate, or system-replacement needs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Phoenix Valley area of Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
