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Do You Need a New HVAC System?

Introduction

Even the best HVAC systems are bound to break. A furnace may sputter out because of old age, an air conditioner may no longer produce cold air, and air ducts may become clogged. Without proper care, the lifespan of an HVAC system is greatly reduced. Certain parts of an HVAC system have different lifespans than others. For example, a furnace’s average lifespan is between 15-20 years while an air conditioner’s lifespan can vary from 10-15 years to 15-20 years. While it is unlikely you will have to replace your system all at once, there are some signs to look out for. In this blog post, we will talk about how to determine if your HVAC system is properly working, what to do if isn’t working and if you should replace part of it. If you like this blog post or have a question, leave a comment below. We would be happy to answer.

Is Your HVAC System Working?

Is your HVAC system working and if it is, is it working to its best ability? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your system is working and other times, not at all. For example, one day your furnace could stop producing heat and that’s how you know something is wrong with it. Other times it may be more of a gradual process such as you might notice that more dust is collecting in your home. 

The first thing you should do is change your filters in your air conditioner and furnace. If you haven’t changed them in six months it is usually a good rule of thumb to do. However, it depends on your filter. We recommend you look at the instructions manual that came with your filters.

A lot of HVAC issues can be traced back to a clogged filter in furnaces and air conditioners. For example, a dirty filter could be the reason an air conditioner might not be producing cold air. The same goes for a furnace not producing hot air. When in doubt, always replace your furnace or air conditioner’s filter. 

There are some other signs that your HVAC system is not working. Some signs are the temperature of your house does not seem to match the temperature your thermostat says, different rooms in your house vary drastically temperature-wise, your furnace and air conditioner won’t turn on, and abnormal sounds are coming from your HVAC system. If any of these signs sound like something your system is experiencing it’s worth investigating. 

HVAC filter

What to Do if Your HVAC System is Not Working

If you have concluded that your HVAC system is not working there are some things you can do. The first thing you should do, after replacing the filters if needed, is try to figure out where the problem is coming from. Is it your air conditioner or furnace that is struggling or is it something else entirely? After you figure out where the issue is coming from then you can start to properly troubleshoot. The next question you should consider is when the last time was that you had a HVAC technician inspect your HVAC system. If it has been over a year, you should go ahead and call a HVAC technician as your system needs to be looked over anyway. To prevent larger issues from coming about, your HVAC system should be maintained yearly by an HVAC technician. Proper maintenance of your system can help avoid costly bills in the future. 

If you have had your HVAC system looked at in the last year and have narrowed down the problem, then you can proceed. As mentioned before, check to see if your furnace or air conditioner is clogged. A clogged furnace and air conditioner can stop working properly as the airflow is restricted. Consider the age of your HVAC system if your furnace and air conditioner are not clogged. If serviced properly, a good furnace and air conditioner should last at least fifteen years.

If your furnace and air conditioner are not fifteen years old, then the next thing you can do is narrow down the problem even further. Try and find the specific part that is acting up in your furnace or air conditioner. After that, you can try to fix it or if need be, replace it. Replacing a single part in your HVAC system is tremendously cheaper than replacing your whole system. However, sometimes your whole HVAC system does have to be replaced.

A Row of Air Conditioners

Should You Replace Part of Your HVAC System?

If you tried everything above already to no avail then it might be time to replace part of your HVAC system. We don’t mean just a single part in your air conditioner or furnace units as suggested, but your air conditioner or furnace as a whole. Usually, your air conditioner or furnace will go out separately, but if they are around the same age then they might go out at the same time. If you believe that is the case, call an HVAC technician and have them come out before you rush to buy a new HVAC system. Replacing an HVAC system is a huge commitment both time and money-wise. It is best if you go into it knowing that your system is beyond repair and must be replaced. 

After your HVAC system has been deemed beyond repair, research different systems that work best for you. You can also call a reputable HVAC company and ask them for their opinion. The higher your budget the more choices you will have. If you have had issues with your HVAC system’s lifespan before, it might be worth looking into newer HVAC systems. For example, you might want to look into a system that promise a longer life. Buying a new HVAC system is a huge ordeal, but you can reduce your stress. If you research HVAC companies and systems before buying one then you will save yourself stress and money.

HVAC Technician Working on an Air Conditioner

Conclusion

We hope this answered your questions. If it didn’t, feel free to leave a comment below. We will try to answer to our best ability. If you live in the Jefferson County area or surrounding counties and need to replace or repair your HVAC system, call us or fill out the contact form below! Our number is 636-475-9384. We would be happy to assist you with your HVAC needs.

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