Other than your home’s physical structural, your home’s heating and air conditioning system is probably the largest single financial investment that you will have. Just like your home or your car, your HVAC system isn’t something you replace every couple of years. It is a major investment.
If your heating unit has been acting up recently, and you are in the market for a new one, you have probably spent a fair amount of time researching already. This ensures that you are prepared to purchase the most energy efficient heating system in the event that your current unit suddenly quits working.
Here are a few points to consider when deciding if it’s time to buy a new heating system for your home:
Rate the Performance of Your Current System
Since your HVAC system loses efficiency a little at a time, it isn’t always easy to know when it is no longer performing at an acceptable level. You may notice that your home isn’t as warm as you would like, but that doesn’t seem like a big deal at first. Next, you may notice that your energy bills are increasing every month even when your family’s consumption has not changed. Another sure sign of a heating system that is past its prime is the need for frequent repairs. If you have at least two of these problems, replacing your HVAC unit may make more financial sense over time.
Ask About the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) Rating
As you are evaluating new furnaces, be certain to pay attention to the AFUE rating on each one. This helps you to anticipate how well the unit will perform over the course of the next several years. While the minimum AFUE rating is only 78 percent, our company installs new heating systems that are up to 95 percent efficient.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Recommendations
The EPA and the federal Energy Star program both recommend that home and business owners replace stand-alone heating systems that are more than 15 years old. Since there were no federally mandated energy efficiency standards prior to the turn of the century, older heating systems may be only 60 percent efficient. If you are having difficulty choosing a new heating unit, contact Bunn’s and Bennett Heating and Air Conditioning for a consultation. We always perform an on-sight inspection to determine the right unit for your home or business. If you have been living with an inefficient HVAC unit for a while, it shouldn’t take long to notice an improvement in comfort, a decrease in maintenance, repair costs and utility bills. Give Bunn’s and Bennett a call for additional information regarding a furnace upgrade or any other HVAC concerns.
Bunn’s and Bennett Heating and Air Conditioning is a fully licensed, fully insured HVAC company located in Huntsville, Alabama. We have been serving the Tennessee Valley area with award-winning service for more than 30 years. Call us at 256-536-0967 or email us at [email protected] for more information or to schedule an inspection of your home’s HVAC system.
