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Pros and Cons of Replacing Your AC and Heating at the Same Time

replaceheatingac

When either of the heating or cooling components in your HVAC system needs to be replaced, does it make more sense to replace both at the same time? If you are replacing the heating but the AC still works (or vice versa) doesn’t it really make more sense to get more use out of the part that is operational.

Not necessarily. It comes down to age, the brand of equipment and some other factors that really differ from household to household. Here are some points to consider.

Call in the Pros

“whatpros”You might be better off to start right from the beginning with a full inspection from your local heating repair technician.

He/she will inspect all the parts and can advise you on the best course of action. Similarly, they can inform you about what type of unit is best suited to your home size and to your budget.

Reasons to Wait

“timeismoney”The main reason to put the brakes on replacing both the heating and cooling systems in your HVAC at the same time is the cost. Depending on the size, make and model, replacing a full unit can be a big expense.

It can be even harder to shoulder if it is an expense that you hadn’t anticipated.
Also, air conditioners tend to have a shorter lifespan than a furnace, so if your furnace has stopped working, but your AC still conceivably has many years of use left in it that may deter you as well.

Reasons to Switch Them Both at Once

“retirement”Whereas the main criteria to consider replacing one or the other of your HVAC components is cost; this is actually a reason that you would consider replacing both at the same time. That’s because if you have an older system, you might benefit from a newer, more energy-efficient HVAC unit.

Although you will pay out more in upfront costs, you do stand to reap financial rewards on operating costs. There is also the convenience factor. While getting a new HVAC unit installed isn’t a huge deal, it could mean taking a day off work, so you might as well get them both changed at the same time.

If your heating unit is about 15 years old and your air conditioner is in the same range, while a furnace is likely to last for longer, you may be looking at more frequent repairs, which will cost you more money.
You can extend the lifespan of your HVAC by having regular maintenance and tune-ups done.