Deciding whether to repair or replace your HVAC can be a challenging decision for every homeowner.

The average lifespan of all AC units is 10-15 years, whereas heat pumps and furnaces are more around 15-20 years. Regular maintenance is highly recommended throughout the life of your unit, and can lengthen the lifespan as well as increase the overall efficiency.




Even with regular maintenance on your HVAC, there comes a time when repairs aren’t enough and every homeowner must make the decision to replace their units.

Here are some suggestions to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your HVAC:

Safety

The most important factor to consider when choosing whether to repair or replace any system should be the risk factor that it imposed on your health. If there is any sort of danger to you or others resulting from your HVAC, a full replacement is highly recommended. For example, a cracked heating system can leak carbon monoxide into your home and can be deadly for anyone living there. Always choose common sense if your HVAC seems to be malfunctioning.

Heating Efficiency

One big factor to look into when making your decision is if your current heating system is doing the best job that it can. Oftentimes rooms throughout your home will be significantly cooler than other rooms and will not heat up with the rest of the house. This can be a big burden on your wallet as it will take more energy to heat up your entire place.

Always consider the fact that repairs might fix the problem temporarily, but could end up costing you more in the long run than if you had replaced it the first time.

Lifespan

As we mentioned earlier, the lifespan of your units are important factors in determining your final decision. Generally, technicians will write down the date the unit was installed on the unit itself, otherwise there might be a metal plate containing the serial number and model.

An important thought to consider in regards to lifespan is the amount of stress that you put on your HVAC throughout the years. If you are living at home in the midwest during the winter every year and take no vacations, your heating unit will most likely need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Subsequently, if you spend your winter months on vacation somewhere warm, your heating unit should last for several years after the recommended average lifespan.