Although one of the most basic rules of frugal home maintenance is trying to repair household appliances and systems rather than outright replacing it, but there are times that approach doesn’t make sense.
Take for example your HVAC system. You need to consider how old it is and what exactly the problem is. Some problems are either impossible or prohibitively expensive to fix. In those situations, sinking money into repairs is the equivalent of throwing your money away, and thus an air conditioner replacement may be needed.
A good rule of thumb is if you have to spend 50 percent or more of what a new one costs to fix problems, or it upgrading offers significant cost benefits over what you already have in terms of energy efficiency. Our expert team here in Pensacola, FL have compiled a list of trouble signs to watch for.
1 - Thermostat not Working
Your thermostat could not be working for a number of reasons, some of which might be an easy repair (like if the fluid is off).
However, in many cases, if your home is heating or cooling inconsistently, it is the sign of a much bigger problem.
One or more of important components in your system could be broken, which can cost a great deal to repair.
2 - Air Filter Issues
The air filter is supposed to help draw impurities out of the air in your home, but as your system gets older, the ductwork and the air filter are less effective doing that job. In fact, they push those impurities back through the home.
Pay special attention if you see extra dust or if family members notice that allergy symptoms suddenly get worse.
Another possibility is that the size of your HVAC isn’t appropriate for the size of your home, so no matter how hard it is working, it won’t necessarily reflect the thermostat. In order to have adequate power, it needs to be big enough. That is a great reason to replace rather than repair.
3 - Air Conditioner Not Working
Want to know if you should repair or replace your air conditioner? How old is it? As a general rule, if it is about 15 years old or more, it probably isn’t worthwhile to repair the problem.
Other warning signs to take note of are moldy or funky odors coming from your unit; rust; major leaks or loud noises. Also, take note if your energy bills start creeping up without explanation.
One of the best ways to extend the lifespan of your HVAC is ongoing maintenance. When is the last time you had a tune-up?
