HVAC installation made easy.

Knowing when to replace your HVAC isn’t always obvious, but there are a few things you can look out for. Generally speaking, air conditioners have a product life of 10-12 years. If the SEER rating of your unit is 10 or less, it may be time for a change. Furnaces typically last 15-20 years and anything with an 80% AFUE rating or less is not energy efficient. With heat pumps, if you’ve had one for at least 10 years and the SEER rating is 10 or less, it may be time for an upgrade.

There are various factors that will determine what type of HVAC system you need. The size of your home is the most important consideration since you want to purchase something that’s designed for your space. As well, your local climate will affect your decision. For example, if you live in a colder climate, you may want a furnace instead of a heat pump. If there are no ducts in your home, getting a ductless system may be a good solution. If you’re unsure what system is best for you, book a free, no-obligation consultation with a Local Home Pro contractor.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is what’s used to determine how energy efficient air conditioners are. The higher the number the less electricity that’s needed to cool your home. To get an ENERGY STAR® rating, a unit needs to have a SEER rating of at least 15. This is important since ENERGY STAR® is a minimum requirement for some incentives.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is what’s used to determine how energy efficient furnaces are. The higher the percentage, the more energy efficient the unit is. For example, a furnace that’s rated 97% AFUE only loses 3% of energy during the heat conversion process. Since you’re using less energy to heat your home, you may see lower energy bills.

Most homeowners will agree that having energy efficient equipment in their homes is important since it may help to lower monthly energy bills. Energy efficiency also plays a role in rebates and incentives as there are often minimum requirements in order to qualify.

Rebates and incentives are always changing, so it’s best to ask your Local Home Pro contractor about what’s currently available. Who’s offering the rebate can also differ depending on where you reside. The incentives could be offered by your local utility provider, state, or even at the federal level.