Tips on a New System Purchase

Spring Blog – Time for a New System?

 

Mid-March through May 31st is the time of year many new heating and cooling systems are sold and installed. This is a good time because the weather usually cooperates and neither heating nor cooling is needed or not unbearable if it is out for a few days.

 

There are few things homeowners should be aware of when making the decision to replace their systems.

 

Some things you should be made aware of:

·        It is usually better to plan for a replacement rather than to wait for it to breakdown on the hottest or coldest day of the year. It can take days or weeks if during the busiest service months to get a new system installed and then you may be rushed into a poor decision.

·        Just because your system is still operating, doesn’t mean it is should not or does not need to be replaced. Many older (12 years and older) are just not very efficient and have lost some of their capacity to heat and cool your home effectively. They are subject to breakdowns anytime and more so if they have not been properly and routinely maintained. These “older systems” are actually costing you more money that you could be putting toward a new system.

·        A new system that is correctly sized and installed will give you greater comfort and save you a little money on your utility bills along with improved reliability.

·        All HVAC companies are NOT equal in talent and abilities

·        Installation skill of the technicians installing your system is of key importance. You need a skilled team to insure your system is installed correctly and that they follow the manufacturer instructions and not take short cuts. These companies are generally more expensive because their employees are well trained and use state of the art equipment and techniques.

·        A “low ball” price will usually not insure quality and cost you much more money in the long run.

·        Short cuts shorten the life of your equipment and cause comfort issues and safety issues.

·        Brands are not as important as a quality  installation

·        Ask for North American Technical Excellence (N.A.T.E) or Refrigerant Service Engineer Society or Air Conditioning Contractor of America Certified Technicians as well as State licensed Journeyman or Master Technicians to perform your work. These folks have passed rigorous testing that shows they have the knowledge to perform your installation of service correctly. The techs will have a card that shows their certifications.

·        Ductwork is important. If you have ductwork that is in poor condition or not designed well, put your money there first. The top-of-line equipment will NEVER work as it was intended and you will not be happy with the results with poor duct work. You can’t see duct work (unless you crawl under your house, in between floors, or into your attic), but it delivers the air to all your living spaces and it is why you may have drastic temperature differences between rooms, excessive dust issue, and some health issues.

·        You will be much better off getting a less efficient system with great duct work rather than a top efficiency system with poor duct work.

 

Hopefully the above tips will be of some value to you when the time come for you to plan for a new comfort system.

When Do I need a New Heating and Cooling System?

When Do I need a New Heating and Cooling System?  All Seasons Heating and Cooling hears this a lot in our business. Most customers are not sure when they should consider investing in a new heating and cooling system. This answer is not as hard at it appears.  Several factors play into making a good decision about when to replace your heating and cooling system.

Several “Rules of Thumb” that are helpful to determine if it is time for a new system:

1.  Your system is older than 10 years.—Why is this important to you?

• The Manufacturer Warranty has expired which means you pay for the part and the labor now without any help from the contractor or the manufacturer.
• Systems available today are more efficient than what was available when your current system was purchased.
• Today’s systems are also geared toward providing more comfort than before.  There are now choices of heating and cooling equipment that can deliver more even temperatures throughout you house,  decrease humidity in cooling season which increases your comfort, modulating furnaces that deliver even temperatures to your space without over heating you, variable speed blower motors that can help eliminate drafts when the system start up while saving you money every month, and communicating thermostats that make our lives easier in that we can control and schedule our systems from our smart phones if we want to. Indoor air quality products that help us breathe cleaner and healthier air.

2.  If you have a repair that needs to be completed on your older system to keep it operating consider the “4K rule”. Take the cost of the repair(s) multiply it by the age of the equipment and if the number comes out to be more than 4000 (4K), you should seriously consider replacing the system versus if the number is under 4000 just making the repairing.

• A simple example: The repair is $500.00 and the system is 10 years old, 
• Math:  500.00  X   10  = 5,000 this is more than 4K You should consider replacing the system.

We all understand that in today’s economy, there are other factors to consider. Money, timing, and those unexpected needs take priority.  The last thing any homeowner wants to do is spend $6,000.00 and up on a new heating and cooling system. We all take for granted the comfort in our home and allow it to take a backseat to other needs and wants but when your system is not working it becomes an emergency.

3.  Ask yourself this; what am I paying for my utility bills? Is my electric bill high? If you have gas, how high is that bill? Would I like to lower these bills without having to turn down my thermostat? New high efficiency systems can definitely lower your operating costs.

If you keep on patching your old system and hope and pray to get another year out of it; you are most likely wasting money. Your older system is costing you money just to operate and even more money to maintain. The money you are spending to keep it going could easily be going toward a new system that will save you money.

A heating and cooling system, usually, consists of an outdoor unit, indoor unit, a thermostat, and your duct work. When any of these components fail, you have a problem. If you purchase brand new high efficiency equipment and do not have your duct work inspected, you are taking a serious risk. If your house was uncomfortable before you bought new equipment; it will still be uncomfortable afterwards with your new equipment if you have issues with your duct work.

Your air delivery system (duct work) is a key reason for uncomfortable rooms in your home, not your system. The wrong sized duct means not enough or too much air being delivered to a room. If your house has pretty even temperatures throughout; then your ducts are most likely sized correctly. You still want to have them inspected for tightness, condition, and support.

A new high efficiency system installed with good duct work by a professional company that takes their work seriously will give you years of trouble free equipment, lower operating costs, and enjoyed comfort you never thought was possible.

Yes there are systems out there that are 15 to 30 years old and still operating. This is not the norm and those folks are most likely paying far more than their share in operating costs.

When should you replace your system?

• when it starts costing you money in repeated or expensive repairs
• you have excessively high utility bills 
• you demand more comfort 
• you can afford to replace your system. 

Plan to replace your system before it starts to let you down.  If you plan to replace your system even though it is still operating and it is over ten years old; you will be ahead of most folks that just wait until it breaks.  Why not plan for its replacement when you can take your time with no pressure and have time to secure the funds needed without the panic and inconvenience?

Sinking money in an older system is not a good solution.  Explore your options by calling All Seasons Heating and Cooling to schedule a free quote for a new heating and cooling system (757-421-9790).

Now is a Great Time to Replace Your Old Inefficient Heating and Cooling System!

Don’t put it off another year praying and hoping it will last! All of us want to spend our money on something else other than our heating and cooling systems. A new 60” TV, a new boat, car, clothes, ATV, a vacation, anything but a new heating and cooling system, right!?

Any heating and cooling system that is older than 12 years old needs to be considered for replacement. If you are having repeated repairs, or if your utility bills have gotten out of hand, and your system is way out of warranty, now is the best time to replace it. I know, I know, it does cost a lot of money to replace a heating and cooling system, but it is a necessary evil of owning a home. Just like your roof or appliances, your heating and cooling equipment has a useful life and when it reaches a certain age and condition, it must be replaced.

The fall and spring are the best times to have a system replaced because of the different promotions going on. Most manufacturers have rebate or financing programs that will save you hundreds of dollars, some utility companies offer rebates as incentives to purchase higher efficiency models, and there are still a few Federal Tax Credits available as well.

All Seasons has special promotions in addition to the above money saving promotions. Check out our “specials” tab.

A word of caution, all companies are not the same. The best companies train and certify their technicians on an ongoing basis to offer you the best possible service and expertise. You should ask for a certificate of insurance to be certain the company is licensed and insured. Make sure the company has workers' compensation insurance because if a worker gets hurt on your property, you can be held responsible if they do no have workers' compensation insurance. Remember if they do not have a business license or are not insured; you will be stuck with their workmanship or lack of it with no recourse. Most HVAC companies are excellent and honest, but there are a few that are not. Be smart and do your homework so you are not one of the horror stories that you hear about.