If your utility bills keep rising – or you’ve already had an A/C repair bill
this summer – you may wonder if you’d pay less in the long run to replace your
old system, especially with the tax breaks now available on new equipment. Yet you’re
not sure whether you’re ready to commit to buying a new system.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests considering replacing your
air conditioner or heat pump if it’s more than 12 years old, and your furnace
or boiler if it’s more than 15 years old. New units – especially ENERGY STAR® qualified
models – have much higher efficiency levels to help lower your utility bills,
and are more reliable than older systems. Current tax credits are available for
up to $1,500 on new, high-efficiency systems; see the list of tax credit
eligible products here.
Here are a few questions to consider before you decide:
- How old is your system? Systems 10 years or older use a lot more fuel than newer models. Review the SEER (efficiency) rating of your existing system and compare to new models. New units are rated at least 13 SEER, which can reduce your electric bill.
- How high are your repair bills? Frequent repairs costing hundreds of dollars mean your service costs can soon exceed the cost of a new system.
- Is your home uncomfortable? If your rooms are too hot or too cold, your current HVAC system may be too large or too small, or it may have been poorly installed. Talk to a contractor about performing a load calculation to be sure.
- Is humidity, mold or dust a problem? Installing a dehumidification system helps remove moisture than can damage both your home and your health. Simply adding a germicidal light will eliminate contaminants at the source and keep them from recirculating throughout your home. Replacing HVAC filters once a month controls dust, as well.
- Does your home score below five on the ENERGY STAR® Home Energy Yardstick? That means you’re using more energy at home than most Americans and probably paying more on energy bills than you need to.
If you decide it’s time for a change, your local Lennox dealer can provide
recommendations on improving your home’s comfort system. You can also find more
information on all Lennox products at www.Lennox.com.
