Why It’s Time To Upgrade To A High Efficiency HVAC
Wondering if it’s really worth it to upgrade to a high efficiency HVAC system?
Spoiler alert: it is. And after reading all the benefits of upgrading below, you’ll wonder why you ever doubted.
This guide lists all the joyous ways your life will improve when you upgrade to a higher-efficiency system. Read on to see what high efficiency heating and cooling will do for your home.
Your Current HVAC System May Be All Kinds of Wrong
What’s wrong with your current HVAC system? Presumably, lots—so much, in fact, that we made a list. Here are a few of the problems/inefficiencies of your current system you may not even know about.
Too Large For The Space
Does your HVAC heat or cool the house to the desired temperature in just a few minutes? This may seem like a good thing and a sign of an efficient system but don’t brag about it just yet. It’s more likely a sign that the HVAC is too large for the house.
It’s quite common for technicians to more or less guess the appropriate size when installing an HVAC. They end up overcompensating with an oversized system instead of performing a proper load calculation as they should. Other times, when replacing the HVAC, they replace an oversized unit with one just as large without bothering to check if it’s the right size.
To Powerful
So, what’s wrong with too much power? It costs too much money, for one.
Cooling your house too fast means the system is starting and stopping way more each day than a correctly sized unit. This wears the system down faster and shortens its lifespan, requiring an expensive replacement much sooner.
Also, it takes a lot of energy to start the cooling cycle but less energy to keep it running. Starting and stopping in numerous short bursts throughout the day costs a lot more per month than a properly sized system that runs longer per cycle.
Lastly, the cooling cycle needs to run for a while to remove humidity from the air. The shortened cooling cycle of an oversized AC unit isn’t enough to dehumidify the air.
That’s a big problem for those in high-humidity areas like the Seattle region. Not only does it mean lower air quality, but it also encourages mold growth.
To Small
On the other hand, your HVAC might be too small for your home. This is more common in houses with high ceilings and big open spaces, which require a more powerful unit than less spacious houses.
The problem with an undersized HVAC unit is it’s not powerful enough to cool the house efficiently, if at all. The cooling cycle will have to run all the time to keep the house cool. Even then, it still may not be able to keep the temperature down.
Plus, the system is obviously not made to keep running nonstop. This is very hard on the system and wears it out quickly.
The end result is an absurdly expensive energy bill, a house that never cools down, and an overworked AC unit that wears down too fast.
Wrong Type Of Furnace
Which type of heating system is installed in your home? Is it a furnace, a heat pump, or a ductless heat pump? And what kind of AC do you have, central or ductless?
Why yes, there are different types of heating and cooling systems. Do you know which one is best for your home?
We do. And it may or may not be the one you have installed right now. The best way to find out is to have a professional HVAC technician take a look at it.
To Cheap
Assuming your HVAC system is the right size and type for your home, it’s still true that you get what you pay for. Generally speaking, a less expensive system will not have the efficiency or longevity of a pricier, high efficiency HVAC. Even in top form, a cheap system will use more energy and wear down faster.
An Older Unit
Now, let’s say your HVAC is the right size, the right type, and state-of-the-art. Or, at least, it was a state of the art when it was installed 20 years ago.
Even the best system wears down eventually. And as it does, its efficiency goes down. If it’s been ten years or more since the system was installed, call a technician to audit your HVAC’s efficiency.
A High Efficiency HVAC Is All Kinds of Right
Now, let’s see how installing a new, high efficiency HVAC can help with these and other problems.
A Newer Model
As we just mentioned, every HVAC’s efficiency decreases over time. By installing a high efficiency HVAC, you aren’t just getting a better system but also a new one!
Even the cheapest system will increase your HVAC efficiency if it means replacing your 10-year-old system with a new one. But when you replace it with a high efficiency HVAC, the decrease in your monthly energy bill is absolutely staggering.
It's Your Choice
Not too big and not too small—now you can choose the HVAC system that’s just right for your home. All questions of the right type, size, efficiency, and quality can be best answered by a new high efficiency system. Just find out from your local, trustworthy HVAC technician the type and size of the heating and cooling systems you need beforehand.
And that’s not all. Many of the systems available to you have upgraded features you may not have known about.
One of the best for Seattle residents is the ability to program the system to your desired humidity level. Systems with this feature can detect and reduce the humidity level efficiently and as needed.
Highest Efficiency Possible
So this means you’ll have the most energy-efficient model of the best type of system for your house in the right size. And it’s brand new so that it will be running at maximum performance.
As long as your building is well insulated, you’ll have the most efficient heating and cooling setup possible for your home. So, while you’re at it, you might as well splurge for some energy-efficient windows and added insulation where necessary to seal the deal. Then, enjoy phenomenal monthly energy savings.
Lower Energy Bills
Wondering how much we mean by “phenomenal?” According to energy.gov, the system upgrade could reduce your monthly energy use by up to 20%.
And that’s just for the HVAC replacement. The energy-efficient windows could save you an additional $465 per year.
No matter how you add it up, the point is this: it adds up. Installing a high efficiency HVAC will definitely result in significant annual savings and will eventually pay for itself many times over.
Built To Last
This is especially true since your new system should last much longer than low-efficiency systems. Better efficiency means the system is doing precisely what it’s supposed to do and is doing it well.
It’s not being overworked or starting and stopping more often than necessary. The cycles are the appropriate length, and the unit is the correct size for the house.
In other words, it’s handling the appropriate workload it was designed for. As a result, it incurs much less wear and tear than less efficient systems and, therefore, lasts longer.
Increased Comfort
One of the best features of a high-efficiency HVAC system is a more comfortable home. For one thing, your home will always be at the right temperature.
And as we mentioned before, your new system will likely do a much better job of dehumidifying the air inside. For most people, this improvement in indoor air quality is, well, a breath of fresh air. But to asthma sufferers, it’s a godsend.
Another benefit is noise reduction. Recent advances in HVAC design have made modern systems much quieter to operate.
Environmentally-Friendly
You’re not the only one who benefits when you upgrade to a high-efficiency HVAC system. Think about the positive impact this reduction in energy use will have on the environment.
When you upgrade, it’s not only your new HVAC that lasts longer. You’re helping our whole planet survive a little bit longer.
By investing in a high-efficiency HVAC system, you’re investing in everyone’s future.
Increased Property Value
Finally, like all energy-efficient upgrades, upgrading your HVAC is an excellent way to up the resale value of your home. If you end up one day selling your house, a high-efficiency HVAC system is an excellent thing to be able to brag about to buyers. It works well, it’s green, and it lowers the user’s monthly energy bill.
Plus, it eliminates the potential hazards of inefficient systems. For example, water damage from AC condensation and mold growth from excessive indoor humidity will both be prevented.
Reap the Benefits of a High Efficiency HVAC
With all these benefits to gain, especially the monthly energy savings, there’s no reason left not to upgrade. Even with the substantial upfront cost, it will pay for itself eventually. And the longer you wait, the more you pay each month for electricity.
So don’t wait. If you want to lower your energy bill and get a more comfortable home, upgrade to a high-efficiency HVAC now.
For more ways on how to improve HVAC efficiency and indoor air quality, read about the refreshing benefits of choosing high-quality air filters for your HVAC system.
Contact Fischer Heating for any additional questions you may have, or give us a call today at 206-202-9499.