When Should I Replace My HVAC Equipment?

Just like on grocery items, there’s a “best by” date when it comes to your heating and cooling system, too. For most places in the U.S., that’s roughly 15-20 years. Here in Florida? It’s more like 8-14 - and that’s assuming you’re staying on top of regular maintenance.

At a certain point, your HVAC system will become less efficient, and though it may still operate, it will require more and more hand-holding by you to do its job.

How to Know if Your HVAC Equipment Needs Replacing

Replacing HVAC equipment is expensive, so it’s something most people put off for as long as possible. This is all good and fine, but then when it suddenly quits on a hot Florida day, you’re left with an emergency situation.

You can do a lot to prevent a cooling crisis by planning ahead and keeping up with regular maintenance such as by changing your air filters regularly, but there will come a time when replacement is your only option. Here are some factors that might suggest a system upgrade may be required in the near future.

• Age - as already discussed, age is a major factor to consider. As your unit approaches 10 years, you should start planning ahead financially for a replacement. Even if it still works, it will become increasingly less efficient with each passing year. What’s more, certain refrigerants, such as R-22 which were common in older AC models, have been phased out and you can’t make repairs with those types of refrigerant refills.

• Energy bills - if your energy bills keep climbing, it could be a clue that your HVAC system isn’t working as well as it should.

• Inconsistent cooling - it’s frustrating when your whole home doesn’t maintain the same temperature. While there may be a few reasons for a temperature imbalance, one is that your equipment may be reaching its end of life.

• Expensive repairs - constant repairs are another sign your HVAC system is barely limping along. When the cost for those repairs reaches the point of being almost half of what a new unit would cost, we generally recommend moving forward with a replacement as the best use of your time and money.

Deciding when to replace the air conditioner in your Tampa-area home should be a choice, not a surprise emergency. Plan ahead by keeping a pulse on how well your HVAC system is performing by scheduling annual maintenance inspections with us at Mario’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We can help you understand your options for prolonging the life of your current unit and knowing when it may be time to upgrade. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.