You absolutely want year-round comfort in your home and that means a reliable HVAC system. Rarely will both systems break down simultaneously and require immediate replacement. It is more likely that one will break down during peak use, and homeowners will decide to replace that one unit. What few people realize, though, is that it might be beneficial to replace both the furnace and the air conditioner at the same time—even if one is still working. What? That is a substantial expense! Why would you replace something that isn’t broken? The truth is, there are a couple of reasons. You should think about replacing both the furnace and air conditioning if:
1. Furnace is Over a Certain Age
An average air conditioner will last approximately 10 to 15 years and an average furnace will last about 20 to 30 years. So it makes sense to replace both if your furnace and A/C are both over 15 years old. This way, you will only pay for the labor once instead of compounding the cost with two separate installations within a few years of each other.
2. You Want to Get Matching Systems
Another reason why you should replace both is because matching systems complement each other. You can get a furnace system and A/C system that share the same blower, or air handler. The components work together and provide maximum efficiency. And, if you do need repairs down the road, both systems are under the same warranty. You can get an old furnace to work with a new, high-efficiency A/C unit, but you will need a skilled technician who knows both units inside and out. Unfortunately, the warranty on the new product will likely be void if you combine it with an old system.
3. Areas are Difficult to Access
If you live way out in the country, or your furnace is located in a hard-to-reach crawl space beneath your home, you might consider replacing both at the same time. Much of what goes into the pricing of your installation is difficulty and how long the job takes. Better to just pay for those expenses once and get both systems replaced.
4. You are Getting Ready to Retire
Many homeowners want to get their homes in optimal shape before they have to live on a fixed income. So this is another case when replacing both at the same time would be beneficial. That way, it is like hitting the reset button on your HVAC system and you shouldn’t have to worry about it for a long while.
When Not to Replace Both Systems
About 70% of the time it is a good idea to get both HVAC systems replaced at the same time. But there are some cases where you shouldn’t because that would end up being a waste of money. For example, if your furnace is less than 10 years old, it will probably last until the next time your air conditioning needs to be replaced. It is wise to wait in this case and simply keep up with regular furnace repairs in San Jose, CA to prolong the life of your system.
Call Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning
As you might guess, there are a lot of variables to account for. The best thing to do is get some expert advice before making the best choice for your home in San Jose, CA. Licensed HVAC technicians can look at your system and give you the options. Sometimes, they can repair the air conditioner you thought was gone—giving you more time to make the decision. Sometimes there is no avoiding it and you will need to replace one of your systems. The technician can assess the other system and give you expert advice on replacing both or just one. Call us today at (669) 219-8957 or drop by 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112 for help.
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