Updating Your Central Air and Heating System is a Key Component to a Healthy Home–Here’s Why

Have you ever thought about the central air that gets circulated throughout your home? Or, have you wondered about the inner workings of your heating and cooling system during the winter and summer months?

All of these thoughts go back to your HVAC system. Your HVAC system is realistically the centerpiece of your home’s air quality. The gateway to properly ventilated and filtered air throughout your living space.

Here are several points that touch on when it’s the right time to update your system, why it’s important to update it, and what to think about if you are updating your HVAC system to maintain a healthy home for you and your loved ones.

When is it the Right Time to Update Your System?

There are a few factors you’ll want to think about when contemplating the idea of updating your HVAC system. Some signs you should replace your HVAC system are when:

1. Areas of your home are warmer or cooler than other parts
2. Your heat pump or ac unit is more than 10 years old
3. You are having frequent visits from your maintenance person
4. The system is making more noise than normal
5. You live in an older home with a non-programmable system

If you relate to some of these instances, it’s a good idea to start planning for an HVAC revamp. Bring in a specialist for an estimate and get their opinion on the situation to see what would be your best options.

Why Update Your HVAC System?

Although updating your HVAC system may seem like a burden or that it’ll be a lot of work, you’ll want to think about all the positives that will come with a new system.

Saves Energy

Updating to a newer HVAC system can save tremendous energy. Your home won’t need to use as much horsepower to keep the system going. A newer system properly and efficiently maintains the indoor climate so you aren’t working the system to death all the time;

During warmer months, you could also potentially have the chance to reduce your energy bill. When picking a new air conditioning system, make sure to look for the Energy Star rating to ensure you’re using a more sustainable option. Another thing to look out for is a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating that is higher than 14.

The SEER rating ensures that the system uses less energy to run

Helps Your Wallet

When you have a new, updated, and properly maintained HVAC system you save energy, which can directly affect the amount you are spending on electricity bills. How is this possible? When you are using less energy your electricity bill won’t take as big of a hit as it normally would with an older machine that uses considerably more energy to run.

Having a newer system also relieves repair costs that you’d have to make with an older system. Eventually, there will be a time when it’s just one thing after another that needs to be fixed within your heating and cooling system. If that’s the case, invest in a new system to rid of the hardships and worries that are brought on by your older system. Plus, most of the new systems feature a 10 year factory warranty.

Improves Air Quality

A new HVAC system allows you to improve your home’s overall air quality. Newer filtration/purification systems trap and eliminate household allergens such as mold, viruses, household chemicals, dander, and pollen so they aren’t released and circulated throughout your home. A new HVAC system also greatly reduces humidity which can lessen your chances of mold developing throughout your home. To maintain healthy air quality and to ensure your system stays working efficiently, routinely replace air filters after a few months.

Gives You A Peace of Mind

Know that when you make the update you’ll have peace of mind moving forward. You’ll lessen the probability of it breaking down when you have a newer central heating and cooling system and take the guessing game relative to your new system’s longevity out of the equation. You won’t have to worry about it breaking down during those chilly winter months and hot summer days. A well-maintained HVAC system allows you to feel safe and reassured that you won’t have to make any last-minute maintenance efforts.

Need to Update Your HVAC System?

Research Options

Before you commit, you’ll want to research to get an idea of what you should be looking for. During the research process, jot down price points and estimates on how much upgrades will cost. Doing this price research will allow you to see how much an entire HVAC system will go for, allow you to plan finances accordingly, and could give you an opportunity to negotiate prices with other companies who offer a price match service.

Speak With a Specialist

Whenever you are going to make home improvements like changing out your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to consult with a specialist. Working with a specialist allows you to get a better idea of what you should be buying and looking for. Working with them will give you the proper guidance and advice you need to ensure you are making educated moves when it comes to your home’s system. In the grand scheme of things, working with a specialist could even save you time and money.

Consider These Financial Tips

Since this home improvement can be a costly item, there are a variety of payment options you could look into that could support how you finance this upgrade. If you have to replace the whole HVAC system, you may want to look into using a personal line of credit or a HELOC. If you speak with a specialist and they say that the updates don’t have to be as grand and that your system will be fine after replacing a smaller part, you could decide to put it on your credit card or utilize cash payments upfront. Some providers may offer a store credit card you could sign up for or installment plans.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

Once you have decided to take the leap and purchase a whole new HVAC system, in order to expand the longevity of your system and to keep it working at peak performance, it’s a good idea to look into routine HVAC maintenance. Having your system checked on a regular basis can help to ensure that issues are found sooner rather than later and can decrease the chances of antigens getting through your system and being released into your home. The best time to get your system serviced would be during the fall for your heating system and spring months for your cooling system before contractors get into their busy months (summer and winter).

Looking for Other Tips to Improve Home’s Air Quality?

Aside from updating your HVAC system, there are other ways that you can improve your home’s air quality.

Invest in Plants

Purchasing plants can be a great way to improve your home’s quality. Certain plants can purify toxins in the air naturally and organically, which directly increases your overall air quality. Some plants to consider would be peace lily, English ivy, snake plant, etc. However, if you have pets, be cautious of which ones may be toxic to your fur-babies!

Keep Rugs and Carpets Clean

A kind of obvious method would be to maintain a clean home. A primary focus would be to deep-clean your carpets and rugs every few weeks. Especially if you have kids running around dragging in mud from the outdoors or pets who may shed, it’s a good idea to develop a cleaning routine. Carpets and rugs tend to trap dirt, hair, pet hair, and dust.

Keeping your air clean is super important when it comes to your overall health. In order to make sure you, your family, and pets have the best air quality for a long time, taking these steps when upgrading your HVAC system will go a long way.