Is it time to update your current, outdated HVAC system?

With the colder weather growing upon us, it is time to make sure your system can tackle the temperature changes. 

Upgrading HVACs can be intimidating if you are unfamiliar with terms or the various types of units available. Newsflash, you may have a central HVAC now, but that isn’t the kind you have to stick with!

This article will review the different types of heating and air conditioning systems for your Lynnfield home to benefit from all year long. 

How To Find The Right HVAC For Your Home

Are you looking to make an HVAC upgrade? There are several things to consider when starting the searching process, and it can be quite intimidating.

It is vital that you look at your new system from all angles and do your part to figure out the right HVAC for your home. 

When looking for a new system, one of the most important aspects to consider is size. You need to find the right size to power your home to give it the proper temperatures and purified air required to breathe.

Choosing too small of a system can rack up your energy bills since it will have to work overtime to heat or cool your home, if you go with a central unit, and too big of a system will cause it to turn on and off frequently, which can wear out the parts.

You also need to consider the varying forms of heating and air conditioning units out there for your home and your budget. We will later in this article discuss the various forms of HVAC you can select and their average cost of installation. 

Investing in an HVAC is never cheap. The lowest you can expect to spend on an HVAC replacement is around $2,000, but several factors go into the final cost of a new HVAC.

• Square footage of home
• Brand/type of system
• Company hired
• Location

Those are just a few factors to name that will alter the price of this major home product, but the good news is that some heating and cooling systems can add value to your home after replacement. 

Hiring the right technician is also important in ensuring your home receives the best new system possible. 

Spotting Problems With Your Air Conditioning Unit

it is important to know the signs that your HVAC has reached its end so that your home can be prepared for any possible weather scenario. The longer you leave your HVAC unchecked or unreplaced, the more susceptible you could be to winters with no heat and summers with no air!

There are some obvious common signs that your HVAC has run its course. Those include:

• Boosted energy bills
• Sounds and smells
• Uneven temperatures
• Longer running time
• it is over 25-30 years of age

One of the most obvious signs that your HVAC is outdated is longer running time and odd sounds or smells. If your HVAC has reached its lifespan, it could be breaking down and causing these things to happen.

HVACs are only meant to last between 20-25 years, with 30 years being a possibility if it is kept up well.

Uneven temperatures can occur if there is a leak in the ducts and air is starting to seep out. This causes longer running time because the HVAC is trying to make up for the lost air to produce temperatures in your home your thermostat is set to. 

Are you having a technician over constantly for repairs? You could put that money to greater use by investing in a new HVAC for your home that is modern and up-to-date.

If you are noticing any of these signs, it is time to think about a full replacement. 

Keeping Up With HVAC Maintenance

Once you have a new system installed, it is up to you to make sure the system’s longevity is protected and that you keep up with its performance.

There are easy things you can do maintenance-wise for HVACs. The most helpful is scheduling annual technician visits twice a year to check on the status and performance of your system. Having a technician over once in the spring and once in the fall is ideal so they can make sure your unit is ready for the upcoming weather change, so they can spot any quick repairs, and clean your outdoor compressor.

Cleaning your outdoor compressor can be intimidating but also fairly easy to do yourself. It is important to clean your outdoor compressor at least twice a year thoroughly. Here’s how you do it:

1. Remove debris from the outside that has gotten in or around your compressor.
2. Turn the power off.
3. Spray down the coils with water.
4. Apply coil cleaner and let it sit for 15 minutes.
5. Scrub the cleaner with a coil brush.
6. Rinse the cleaner down.

The inside compressor cleanings are much more simple. The biggest thing you have to remember to clean is the air filters.

The air filters in your home are responsible for trapping pollutants from the outside that can get into your home and cause the air to be harmful to breathe. Does anyone in your family suffer from asthma or other breathing conditions?

Air filters need to be replaced every three months to ensure air can safely pass into your home. When air filters fail to be replaced, this can back your system up, cause a build-up of dust, and allow pollutants to pass through.

If you have a central HVAC system, it is important that you vacuum out the air ducts while you are at it. You can inspect your air ducts for leaks or holes to patch over, so air doesn’t leak out when your system is running.

Keeping up with your HVAC’s maintenance is extremely important. Unfortunately, many people forget to set aside the time for regular maintenance, which is a horrible trap to fall into when investing in these expensive pieces of equipment. 

The good thing is that HVACs do not need to be cleaned by a few months out of the year! 

Central Heating & Cooling

Central heating and cooling are the typical kinds of units most homes have. These systems are composed of an outdoor compressor, indoor unit, and air ducts.

Central heating and cooling installations are around $5,000-$11,000. Out of the different forms of HVACs, their installation costs are more in the middle. 

The indoor compressor with central heating and cooling is responsible for the heating. It is often considered a “heat furnace” since it burns fuel that is pushed throughout your home. The outdoor compressor is where the air conditioning is funneled in through the ducts from the outside.

Unlike ductless systems that are installed on the wall, central HVACs take up a lot of space in one area of your home and then use the vents to push the air and heat through. Their major cons are the high energy bills homeowners can experience when the system is working longer than it should. 

Central heating and air conditioning units are extremely reliable and perfect for any kind of home. 

Water Heating & Cooling

Did you know water is another form of heating and cooling? A boiler uses water to transfer heat through your home and keep it feeling as comfortable as a central unit can make it feel! 

Some boilers also do not require ducts since they pass heated water through radiators, which then creates the steam carried throughout the house. There is a certain science to water-based heating and cooling that is crazy to understand.

For the air conditioning side of things, air will glide over the water to create cooler steam, known as evaporative cooling, which produces the cooler air in your home. 

Water-baed heating and air conditioning is your cheapest option for installation, coming in around $2,000-$5,000, but while their maintenance and cost are easier and cheaper, their heat and ac are not as effective as other methods. 

Ductless Mini-Split Services

Interested in a heating and air conditioning service other than central? Ductless heating and cooling could be beneficial for your Lynnfield home!

Ductless mini-splits are just what the name suggests, heating and cooling units without requiring air ducts as central units use.

Homeowners who use ductless systems love the flexibility these systems offer since you have complete control over the temperature with these units. Instead of having a central system that powers the whole house, ductless mini-splits can heat and cool rooms simultaneously.

Do you have a recent addition to your home? An unfinished basement not connected to your HVAC? Ductless systems can greatly help! When you go ductless, you will have to install a system in individual rooms instead of having a giant indoor compressor somewhere in your house like a central system.

These units are also beneficial for homes that experience uneven temperatures throughout. For example, is your bedroom freezing cold but the kitchen super hot? You can install a ductless mini-split in each room with adjusted temperatures in each. 

Since you are able to control the heating and cooling completely, you can see a drastic change (for good) in your monthly energy bills.

Homeowners who use ductless systems can see up to 30% in energy savings a month!

But that doesn’t mean these systems do not come with a few drawbacks. For instance, their installation costs are much higher than central units because refrigerant lines have to be hooked up. Ductless systems can also look a bit chunky since they are a box that will sit on your wall, ceiling, window, or baseboards. 

If you are thinking of installing a ductless system, it is important to figure out where you first want to install these systems. Since they are being installed on walls and in rooms, you should be wary of the furniture and other items you leave close to these systems. 

Your ductless system should not be near any other object. This becomes a safety hazard as the higher temperatures can cause fires if it overheats certain objects like wood furniture or curtains. 

They can be aesthetically displeasing, but it is totally worth it when you think about the money you get to save with these systems! If you think you would be interested in a ductless system for your home, consult with your trusted technician for their expert advice. 

Call The Best In Plumbing And Heating Services In Lynnfield

Make the process of upgrading HVACs from the start with 128 Plumbing! We’ve been helping residents in the Lynnfield, MA, area finds the perfect heating and air conditioning unit for the last three decades. 

Our experts have what it takes to answer all your questions and guide you to finding the right system for your home. We specialize in everything heating and electric and would like to consult with you face-to-face about our specialties.

Have a question for us? Then, give us a call at 781-670-3261 today to get started.