Signs It's Time to Replace Your HVAC System
The machines that control your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) are a vital part of what makes your house feel like home. Stepping through those doors and being greeted by warmth in the winter and cool air in the summer brings with it feelings of comfort and safety, and your HVAC system is what makes it happen. It’s so important, in fact, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidelines and standards for these systems.
Eventually, every one of these machines runs its course, and it comes time to install new ones. However, it can be difficult to know exactly when to replace your HVAC system. With that in mind, here are four potential indicators that it’s time for a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
1. Difficulty Regulating Temperature
One dead giveaway that your HVAC system is in decline is an inability to output cool or warm air at the proper times. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel hot in the summer despite the AC being on or why you’re freezing in the winter despite the heater running, it’s possible your HVAC is having issues regulating the temperature. This issue can be extremely frustrating and makes it difficult to sleep or relax when at home. It might even force you to start dressing differently.
If your system is weakening due to age, it may take hours for the temperature to noticeably change. Your machine may even be completely incapable of outputting cool air in the summer or warm air in the winter. Issues like these can be subtle, and it may take you a couple of weeks or even months to notice the change.
Once you do pick up on your HVAC system’s temperature problems, be careful. It’s possible a repair could fix the issue, or you might have to replace the whole thing. In nebulous cases, it’s best to seek professional support so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. In the long run, you can save both time and money.
2. Loud or Unusual Sounds
If you hear banging, grinding, or any other strange noise from your HVAC system, don’t ignore it. While the sound may only last a moment, it’s important to take that signal seriously so that you can avoid future damage the issue might cause. A broken pivot pin or torn air filter may not sound like the worst thing in the world to your ears, but they can seriously impact your heating, cooling, and filtration.
If you haven’t yet, take a moment to pay attention to the sound of your HVAC system. Try to notice the sound it makes as it starts up and stops throughout the day. Familiarizing yourself with these sounds will prepare you to notice the unusual so that you can react accordingly. Keep in mind, however, that not all damage or wear and tear will come in the form of loud cracks or scraping sounds. The changes may be more subtle, so keep an ear out for sounds that are outside the norm.
A change in sound may also be followed by other issues. If multiple problems or odd behaviors start to compound, it may be time to call in a professional to diagnose the problem. Acting quickly can prevent future damage and keep your home comfortable and welcoming.
3. Odd Smells
Odds are, you don’t spend much time looking at the outside of your HVAC system, let alone the inside. Even if you do, it can be difficult to identify problems visually if you don’t know what you’re looking at.
A weird smell coming from your heater or air conditioning unit is a good sign that something might be off with your HVAC system. For example, a musty or damp smell might indicate that mold or mildew has started to grow within your vents. Resolving this issue is vital, as the HVAC system is a vital part of protecting your home’s respiratory health from airborne illnesses. Failing to do so can significantly compromise your home’s air quality.
An acrid or sulfurous smell, on the other hand, might tell you that something is burning or melting somewhere in your system, which likely indicates a serious issue. In cases like these, it is best to turn off your HVAC system entirely and call a professional heating and air service to identify the issue and fix it. In the meantime, you can open windows, use fans, and dress differently to avoid discomfort.
4. Higher Energy Bills
One of the most frustrating indicators that something may be wrong with your HVAC system is an unusual increase in your energy bills. None of us enjoy paying more than we expect for utilities. It can compromise other plans and throw our entire budget off, to say nothing of how it can make it more difficult to meet basic needs like housing and having food to eat. Losing money this way can also heighten stress and anxiety.
While your energy bills can change with the seasons or if you change your habits, a sudden spike without reason might indicate a decrease in your HVAC system’s efficiency. For example, if your air conditioning used to take 20 minutes to cool the house to a desired temperature but now takes over an hour, your system may have lost some of its former strength due to age or malfunction.
This inefficiency affects more than just your wallet — it affects your comfort. In the depths of winter, you might wake up to a frigid home, making it difficult to get up or relax. Essentially, you end up paying more for worse results, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Contacting professionals, especially those who installed your home’s HVAC system, can help you identify and resolve the issue quickly so that you can regain your comfort and your usual energy prices.
Replace Your Old or Damaged HVAC System
In some cases, you may need to install a whole new HVAC system, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. At Meeks Heating & Air, we serve your home like it’s our own. Our team of experienced professionals has over 20 years of experience on the job, and we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Serving the Metro Atlanta area, we know how much you value the comfort your home provides, and we want to do everything we can to restore and protect that comfort.
You can reach us at 470-622-8901 or request a free estimate online today. As a Trane Comfort Specialist, we offer affordable financing options so that you can get the service you need at exclusive prices.
