The average HVAC system lasts for 15 to 20 years. However, that doesn't mean you should wait until your appliances are two decades old—or they stop functioning entirely—before you consider replacing them. HVAC contractors often remind clients who live in older homes that the systems available today are much more efficient than those that were on the market even 10 years ago. As such, upgrading your heater and air conditioner sooner rather than later can be a sound investment. Here are two of the biggest ways the new unit could pay for itself over time.

Lowering Utility Bills

Today’s HVAC systems are designed to heat and cool homes using the least amount of energy possible. Each model’s efficiency is quantified with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), which represents its maximum efficiency in optimal conditions. Units with a higher SEER rating use less energy than those with a lower SEER rating.

Older systems usually have a rating of 6 or less, whereas newer ones might have a rating as high as 15 or 20. Upgrading from a 13 SEER system to a 20 SEER system, for example, will yield 35% in energy savings. Naturally, these savings add up from month to month until the new unit has paid for itself in lower utility bills.

Raising the Property Value

Nowadays, the average homebuyer is interested in energy-efficient upgrades. This includes HVAC units, which typically run 12 months out of the year in a climate like Ohio’s. If you’re planning on putting your house on the market in the near future, upgrading the heating and cooling system with the help of an affordable HVAC contractor could pay off in a significant way. Having the latest energy-efficient model in the home allows you to set a higher asking price, especially if comparable homes in the area have much older units.

If you want to upgrade to a more efficient heating and cooling system, turn to White Refrigeration in Alliance, OH. This HVAC contractor serves homeowners and commercial clients throughout all of northeast Ohio and neighboring Pennsylvania. For more than 45 years, they've been keeping families and businesses comfortable all year long. They also offer refrigeration services for restaurants, grocery stores, cafeterias, and ice cream parlors. To schedule service with the area’s most reputable HVAC contractor, reach out on their website or call (330) 821-1243.