Home improvement projects are bittersweet in that they cost time, money, and resources, but you’re always glad you did it in the end.

The same is true when it comes time to replace an aging heater or air conditioner, because an upgraded unit will cost you, but you’ll end up with a more efficient home and lower energy bills as a result.

Many homeowners often ask HVAC experts if they should replace one when upgrading the other, and today we’ll tell you everything you need to know to figure this out.

Cost Factors to Consider

Location

Although the location of your house may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering your options for HVAC upgrades, this actually is an important point.

The farther your house is from a service area, the more you’ll have to pay for installation. Therefore, you’ll save money by replacing both units at once and only having to pay the additional service fees one time.

Retirement

Retirement is that golden time in life when you no longer have to live by somebody else’s schedule, and many people use this time to explore new hobbies, travel, go on vacations, and spend time with friends and family.

With all that going on, the last thing you want to worry about is a furnace or air conditioner that’s always in need of service, because this will cut into your free time, and cost you a great deal of money in maintenance and repairs.

As such, if you’re going to be retiring soon, it might be best to upgrade both appliances now, because that way you won’t have to fight with old appliances that are always breaking down when you’re trying to enjoy your retirement.

Talk to a Technician for Personalized Recommendations

With all these things to think about, it can be difficult to know what to do when you’re exploring an HVAC upgrade.

Fortunately, you can schedule an appointment with a local Derry, NH technician who can walk you through your options, evaluate the condition of your current units, and help you make the right decision based on your budget and your needs.

Knowing When It’s Time to Upgrade to Newer Units

When you need to replace an air conditioner or furnace, one of the most important factors that will determine whether you also replace the other is age. Furnaces and air conditioners have different lifespans, so you don’t necessarily need to upgrade one just because the other is due.

Air conditioners can last for up to 20 years, but furnaces can keep going for an additional 10. Therefore, if your A/C is around 15 years old and on its last legs but your furnace is the same age, you might not want to replace the furnace just yet because it can likely still last the lifetime of a new A/C.

However, if both appliances are becoming less efficient and requiring increasing service, then you should probably opt to replace them both. When your furnace or air conditioner starts to peter out, you may want to consider replacing the other unit as well.

While it’s not necessary to upgrade both at the same time, in many instances, it makes sense, including when the HVAC system is old, if you’re retiring soon, or if your location makes service calls more expensive. Whether you choose to replace one or both will depend on your circumstances, but a trained technician will be able to give you more information to help you choose.