Wright Home Services has been a trusted, family-owned comfort specialist in San Antonio since 1979. Our dedication to bringing you high-quality service and solutions that protect your home has been passed down to ensure your home is taken care of and your comfort is secured.
While we do offer full HVAC system replacements from trusted brands like Trane®, we aren’t here to convince you to spend the money to replace your unit when you don’t need to.
We want to educate you on all you need to know regarding your home’s HVAC system, from common problems you can fix yourself to finding a trustworthy company to meet your needs.
5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your HVAC System
Have you noticed your air conditioning not cooling your house the way it used to? Maybe you’ve heard some strange noises coming from your HVAC unit?
Signs like higher energy bills, more dust accumulating in your home and the need for constant repairs point to needing a complete HVAC system replacement.
However, because replacing your entire unit is a costly investment, you want to know if you really need a replacement or not.
Your HVAC system plays the most crucial role in maintaining the comfort of your home. If it’s out of date, not functioning properly or not regulating the airflow in your home, you may need to consider a replacement.
There are five common signs it may be time to replace your HVAC system:
- Your system is 10-15 years old
- You’ve noticed higher energy bills
- You notice more dust in your home
- The unit is loud and noisy
- You’re spending a lot on constant repairs
Let’s look into each of these signs to look for to know whether you need an HVAC system replacement.
Your System Is 10-15 Years Old
The first thing to look at when considering an HVAC unit replacement is the age of your unit. Like with any appliance in your home, the older it gets, the worse it starts to perform.
HVAC units typically last 10-15 years before showing signs of wear and tear.
While some common issues, like refrigerant leaks or damaged ducts, can be repaired, sometimes the age of your unit is what’s holding you back from maximum comfort.
If you’ve lived in your home for 15-20 years, never replaced your HVAC unit and plan to live in your home for 10-15 more years, a full system replacement is worth the investment.
Looking at the age of your unit first may be an indicator as to why your HVAC system isn’t functioning as well as it used to and may lead to a replacement.
You’ve Noticed Higher Energy Bills
The second most common sign it’s time to replace your HVAC system is if you’ve noticed rising energy bills over the years.
Now, it’s normal for your energy usage to fluctuate month-to-month depending on the season. This is why you must compare your energy bills over the past five to seven years.
If you notice your energy bill has increased over $100 to $200 in total, this is a big sign your HVAC system may need replacing. Significantly higher energy bills mean your HVAC unit requires more energy to produce the same output.
Replacing your system with a newer, energy-efficient option will help bring your energy consumption down and lower your bills while also providing a noticeable difference in the comfort of your home.
You Notice More Dust In Your Home
Another sign your HVAC unit isn’t working as well as it should is if you’ve noticed a significant increase of dust in your home.
Most of us commonly think of our HVAC units as heating and cooling systems and may forget their other important functions.
The entirety of your HVAC system takes air in, filters it and pushes it out, either hotter or colder than it was before. This means your HVAC system is also an air filter and helps trap dust, debris and other particles that pass through the system.
If you’ve noticed increased dust in your home and recently changed your air vent filters, this could be a sign your replacement is about to hit the dust (no pun intended).
If your system is less than 10 years old, there may be damage to your ducts that are allowing more dust to escape through your HVAC system and into your home.
The Unit Is Loud And Noisy
If your HVAC system has started to become noisy when it’s running, it’s hard to ignore. This could be a sign your system is due for a replacement.
Rattling or whirring sounds may indicate that something is loose in either your interior or exterior system. If this is the case, you may need to replace that part or just have a professional perform a tune-up.
If you hear any strange noises coming from your HVAC system, the best thing to do is call a professional to take a look. We can properly assess your unit and diagnose the issue, whether that’s repairing or replacing a part or replacing the entire system.
You’re Spending A Lot On Constant Repairs
The fifth and final sign it may be time to replace your HVAC unit is if you’re constantly spending on repairs to fix broken parts.
The older an HVAC system gets, the more problems it’s going to encounter. While a $300 charge for a new part every few years may not seem like a large expense, be aware of when these one-time repairs occur.
If you’re spending more than $500 a year on HVAC repairs, chances are replacing your entire system will be more worth your money.
Now, it’s natural to want your current system to last as long as it can. We understand this. However, we want you to be aware of exactly how much you are spending on repairs to know when it’s time for a full replacement.
Replacing Your HVAC System With A Company You Trust
Now that you understand five common signs it’s time to replace your HVAC system, you can effectively take a look at your HVAC unit, assess the problems you’ve been experiencing, and know whether you need a replacement or not.
Once you’re ready to replace your system, finding a trustworthy company to work with is crucial.
At Wright Home Services, our technicians are trained to properly assess your equipment and provide you with the right solution. Give us a call today to start your journey for an AC replacement!
