How to Decide
REPAIR vs. REPLACE ??
Life expectancy of an HVAC system depends largely on
your system maintenance. If you've serviced the system for
many years, you'll know when that "end of life"
decision has come.
Depending on the nature of the problem, repairs to
your current equipment could be relatively cheap or very expensive. Although the effective lifespan varies
somewhat between makes and models and depends on ongoing maintenance, most HVAC
systems are designed to last about 10-15 years before needing replacement.
Thus, if your existing equipment is almost a decade old, having it fixed serves
little purpose; it will just need to be replaced soon anyway. As a
rule, if the repairs will cost more than half as much as a new system, you
should opt for replacement.
Of course, the up-front cost of fixing or
replacing your current HVAC system is just one part of your decision. New
equipment tends to use power or fuel more efficiently than older machines,
and in time, those monthly utility savings can offset the cost of
replacement. For instance, installing a new machine that projects to save you
$25 monthly may cost $600 more than repairing your existing machine.
The new device will offset that cost over the course of two years.
Here are some links to check out when considering a replacement;
- Federal incentives
- Eversource programs and services
- Energy.gov Tax Credits, Rebates & Savings
- The United Illuminating Company
- Rebuilding Together
- Life Expectancy of Household Components
- Connecticut Housing Investment Fund (CHIF)
You can also call the following numbers for more information:
- 1.800.842.1132 - Connecticut Energy Assistance Program(CEAP) & Contingency Heating Assistance Program(CHAP)
- 1.800.388.9727 - The Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership(WRAP)
- 1.860.357.4952 - Douglas Mechanical Services
