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Repair or Replace

Should you repair or replace your air conditioner, heat pump, furnace or boiler? When something breaks down, it's tempting to go the quick route and pay for repairs to get it up and running again. That quick-fix may seem the least expensive route now, but it may not offer the most value in the long run.

There's a lot to consider:

Age of Equipment

Cost of Repair

Energy Efficiency

Repair History

Moving Soon!

Equipment Performance

The following questions will guide you through these points of consideration:

What type of equipment are you repairing?

Existing System

To help us with your evaluation, we need to know what type of system you have in your home. Review the system types below, and chose the one that best represents the system you have in your home. Click on any image for more details about that system type.

Furnace / Air Conditioner Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner Details Air Conditioner Condensing Unit

The air conditioner is part of a split system. You have product that resides inside and outside your home:

  • Air Conditioner - Cools refrigerant
  • Furnace and Evaporator Coil - Converts refrigerant and circulates air
  • Ducts - Carry the air throughout your home
  • Control or Thermostat - Your interface for controlling your system
  • Optional Air Quality Accessories such as Air Cleaners or Ventilators - Clean your air before it circulates throughout your home
Furnace / Heat Pump Split System Heat Pump
Heat Pump Details Heat Pump Condensing Unit

The Heat Pump is part of a split system. You have product that resides inside and outside your home:

  • Heat Pump - Cools and/or heats refrigerant
  • Furnace with Coil or Air Handler - Converts refrigerant and circulates air
  • Ducts - Carry the air throughout your home
  • Control or Thermostat - Your interface for controlling your system
  • Optional Air Quality Accessories such as Air Cleaners or Ventilators - Clean your air before it circulates throughout your home
Gas Furnace Furnace
Furnace Details Gas Furnace

The furnace can be part of a split system or may be the only part of your system:

  • Furnace - Circulates air throughout your house
  • Ducts - Carry the air throughout your home
  • Control or Thermostat - Your interface for controlling your system
  • Optional Air Quality Accessories such as Air Cleaners or Ventilators - Clean your air before it circulates throughout your home
Gas Boiler Boiler
Boiler Details Gas Boiler

The boiler can be part of a split system or may be the only part of your system:

  • Boiler - Circulates water to your radiators
  • Control or Thermostat - Your interface for controlling your system
Packaged System Packaged System
Packaged System Details Packaged System

A heat pump or air conditioner combined with an evaporator coil in a single unit outside your home:

  • All you need is a control or thermostat and any air quality accessories you'd like.
  • Packaged Systems may be located on the exterior of your home either on the rooftop or in the yard.
  • Optional Air Quality Accessories such as Air Cleaners or Ventilators - Clean your air before it circulates throughout your home

What is the age of your equipment?

Equipment Age and Life Expectancy

Most equipment is designed for a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.

Old Air Conditioner





VS.

Air Conditioner Condensing Unit

Older equipment is prone to the following:

  • More expensive repairs, such as compressors or heat exchangers
  • Much lower energy efficiency vs. today's standards
  • Reduced performance due to clogged or corroding coils

What is the estimated cost of needed repairs?


Stack of Money - Repair or Replace

Equipment Repair

Repairing existing equipment can be a good decision as long as:

  • The cost of the repair is less than 30% of the cost of new equipment
  • The rest of the system is in excellent operating condition

Otherwise, the cost of the repair would be better invested in a new system.

Is the equipment still under warranty?

What is the SEER efficiency rating of your equipment?

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save.

Type of refrigerant used?

Has the air conditioner compressor been replaced recently?

What is the AFUE efficiency rating of your equipment?

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a measure of a gas furnace's efficiency in converting fuel to energy, by projecting the average thermal efficiency for a complete heating season. A higher AFUE rating means greater energy efficiency.

Has the heat exchanger been replaced recently?

Does your equipment turn on and off repeatedly during the day?

Do you have problem rooms that seem to never get warm or cool?

Is the turning on of your equipment noticeable, disturbing or causing annoying vibrations in your home?

How long do you expect to stay in this home?

Length of Residency

Home: Residential Heaing / Cooling System

If you are moving within the next year or two and believe investing in a new home comfort system will improve the value of your home, you should consider making the investment. If you plan to live in your current residence for many years, it may be wise to invest in your future comfort.

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Please select a system type.

Please provide us the following information: