When Should I Replace?

There are certain telltale signs that are indicators it is time to consider replacing your current heating or cooling equipment and this can help improve the overall performance of your system. It may be time to call Bay Area Services if:

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old.

Consider replacing your existing unit with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. When installed correctly, these high-efficiency units use 8% less energy than conventional models.**

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.

You should consider replacing your existing furnace or boiler with an ENERGY STAR qualified unit. ENERGY STAR qualified furnaces are up to 16% more efficient than standard models, and qualified boilers have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 87% or more for oil boilers and 90% or more for gas boilers.**

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.

This could be because your current heating or cooling equipment is no longer as running efficiently as it used to be, especially if the unit is more than 10 years old.

Certain rooms in your house seem too hot, or too cold.

This could be due to improper equipment operation, duct problems, or inadequate insulation.

No one is home for long periods of the day, and you do not have a programmable thermostat.

You can install a programmable thermostat, or have a good contractor install one and instruct you on how to use it — this can allow you to start saving energy and money while away from home or asleep.

Your home has humidity problems.

The air in your home may be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer, and this may be due to inadequate equipment operation or leaky ductwork.

Your home has excessive dust.

Leaky ductwork can pull dust particles and air from your attics, crawl spaces, and basements, and distribute them throughout your home. Properly sealing your ductwork may be a solution for this.

Your heating or cooling system is noisy.

You could have an undersized duct system, or there may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

**Information from energystar.gov