Spring is an important time to clean out your home, take stock of your goals for the year, and decide whether it’s time to replace an old HVAC unit. It makes sense if you think about it — this time of year is mild in most parts of the country, and there may be plenty of days when you don’t need heating or cooling. Because of this, it’s one of the most convenient seasons for scheduling new HVAC installations or repairs.

Not sure whether you need HVAC repair or replacement for a failing unit? Here are some factors to consider in your decision. 

Unit Age

If your air conditioner or furnace is about 10 to 12 years old, it’s a good time to think about replacing it. Most systems tend to last about 15 years at most, but they will become highly inefficient well before then, with many using outdated or even harmful technology (e.g. systems that use Freon refrigerant).

Recent HVAC Repairs

Has your HVAC unit needed more than two repairs in the last 10 years, not counting regular maintenance? If so, it’s time to start thinking about replacing it, as at this point your next serious repair might be more trouble than it’s worth.

SEER Rating

Your HVAC unit’s Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) comes from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, and it indicates how efficient an air conditioner is. If yours has a rating of less than 10, it may be costing you an unnecessarily high amount of money every month. Newer models can have much higher scores of up to 20 and will cost a lot less in electric bills.

If you live or do business in the La Crosse, WI, area, expect exceptional HVAC repairs and installations from Ron Hammes Refrigeration. They’re a full-service heating and cooling company that can handle everything from duct cleaning to new installations — plus, they’re available 24 hours a day. For questions or to request a quote, feel free to get in touch at (608) 788-3110. More information is available on their website.