Heating Systems For The Pacific Northwest
It’s getting closer to the season when a heating system will be working full-time. Have you done routine maintenance on your furnace? Aside from keeping the unit and its surroundings clean from debris, dirt, and dust, there might be some parts that need cleaning or replacement. It’s time to get in touch with a reliable HVAC technician to check your furnace. Doing a furnace check earlier assures that you’ll be toasty warm when the cold weather sets in.
If you are going to replace your old heating system or install one for the first time, do a bit of initial research. Choosing heating systems for the Pacific Northwest usually depends on the heating requirements of homes and buildings and the heating preferences of individuals. It is a good idea to check with your trusted HVAC technician who is knowledgeable about heating systems to understand more about furnaces and the differences between brands.
A furnace that is regularly maintained can last for about 18 years. If a homeowner neglects to have the heating unit inspected and maintained regularly, the useful life of a furnace can be drastically shortened. Whether due to age or neglect, a homeowner can save more if the defective furnace is replaced. Instead of spending more and more on repair and replacement of parts.
When considering the pros and cons of replacing heating systems for the Pacific Northwest, it is to your advantage to know the advantages and benefits of changing an aging and malfunctioning furnace and A/C at the same time. Doing so can give you more savings than having the heating system and the cooling system replaced separately.
Why Replace The Furnace & Air Conditioner At The Same Time
When it comes to HVAC systems, the saying that you should not fix something that is not broken does not apply. There are several reasons why simultaneously replacing air conditioning and heating systems for the Pacific Northwest makes sense. Further, the weather patterns in Seattle, Washington, are getting unpredictable, and your location could be under stormy periods and colder spells in winter. Thus, is it wise to think of your comfort when you need heating the most? The same can be said when hotter weather prompts you to stay indoors most of the time to escape the heat, so you also have to make sure that your air conditioning system is in tip-top shape.
Better Energy Efficiency
HVAC systems today use less energy and are more efficient than the heating and air conditioning systems that were made about 12 years ago. Today, you have SEER or the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings, where you can check if the HVAC system you currently have and the new ones that you are considering, should you replace your old system, are very efficient. The minimum standard for cooling systems recommended by the government is 13. A new HVAC system with a higher SEER means that it uses less energy, which makes its operation cost-efficient.
For furnaces, the rating system used is AFUE or the annual fuel utilization efficiency. It measures the seasonal performance of the furnace. Generally, the recommended AFUES is 90% or higher for a new furnace.
Sizing Up HVAC Systems
One thing to keep in mind is that when you decide to replace one part of your HVAC system or both. You need the assistance of a licensed HVAC technician. If your air conditioning system is broken, the technician can repair the unit. And he can give you more time to decide whether you want to replace the A/C or the entire HVAC system.
If you decide to replace the A/C, the technician needs to calibrate it to match the heating system of your existing HVAC. Likewise, the technician would need to assess your heating system. If your utility bills noticeably keep on increasing over the years when you use the furnace, there could be something wrong.
Even if you replace one part, for example, the A/C unit, the heating unit will be considerably older than the A/C. A newer model might not be a good match for an older part. At the same time, the older part of the system will soon need replacing as well.
Matching The Two Units
The heating systems for the Northwest will work better if they match the air conditioning system because the parts will have the same technology. The rationale here is that it will be more economical. The cost and performance will be efficient if the components of the HVAC unit match each other.
When the systems match, the unit will use the same blower or air handler. This reduces the size, cost of the equipment, and the unit’s energy consumption. A matched cooling and heating system for the Northwest is created to work together. It can reduce wear and tear and increase energy efficiency. Since they match, you can expect the two systems to operate better, and you’ll be more comfortable when you’re heating or cooling your home.
Lower Installation Costs
When just one part is replaced, it might need additional modification on the existing heating system in order for the new part to conform to the features of the HVAC unit. You will end up with higher installation costs because of the modification that may require the purchase of additional parts. Add to it the long hours that the technician will spend installing the new system.
Minimize Other Heating System Issues
When you do not replace your heating and air conditioning system at the same time with a more efficient system, you are likely to incur unnecessary costs, feel frustrated, and feel discomfort.
Your old system may be nearing the end of its serviceable life as well. If you do not replace it together, the life span of the new system will likely decrease. There is also the issue regarding warranty. Most manufacturers are not bound to honor the warranty of a new system when it is used in combination with an older system, even if the new unit breaks down within the period stated in the warranty. This means that you have to pay for the cost of part replacement or repair that was done to your new system in full.
Replacing both the heating and cooling systems at the same time means the warranty of the entire system protects you should any part of the unit break down while still under warranty.
Increase The Value Of Your Home
You improve the overall value of your residence in the Northwest when you install a compatible, high-quality heating and cooling system. You will realize cost savings and enjoy the higher efficiency of a new HVAC system. You’ll realize how convenient and reliable a new energy- and cost-efficient HVAC system could be.
So you see, installing one complete cooling and heating system for the Northwest assures you that you have a unit that works seamlessly together. It’s installed at a lower cost and guarantees that the warranties cover more parts of the HVAC for an extended period.
When you need to replace your HVAC system, get professional help from a licensed HVAC technician from Fischer Heating from the planning stage. Our technician will be able to properly assess the size of your home and its heating requirements and recommend the most suitable HVAC model. You can make your choice from several models that the technician recommends based on your budget.
Contact Fischer Heating for any additional questions you may have, or give us a call today at 206-202-9499.