Premium Efficiency Cooling Program
Repair or Replace?
Typically, the more energy-efficient a system is, the higher its initial cost. Ask your contractor about rebates and federal tax credits that may offset all or part of the additional cost for premium efficiency equipment. You may find that by timing your purchase in the off-season and taking advantage of all available discounts, premium equipment is now within your reach.
It may be time to replace your existing HVAC system if you notice any of the following conditions:
- You are using more energy than in past years or your current air conditioner is more than 12 years old
- Your equipment needs to be repaired every year, is noisy or cycles frequently
- Some rooms in your home are too warm, too chilly or humid
- Your home gets dusty when you operate your air conditioner.
When deciding whether to repair or replace your existing equipment, hire a professional HVAC contractor to:
- Examine your existing system to assess performance, projected maintenance requirements and estimated remaining life.
- Ensure that your current unit is sized correctly for your home. An oversized unit can have a reduced efficiency by up to 50%. An undersized unit will run harder and cycle on more frequently to maintain a comfortable environment, wasting energy in the process.
- Perform cooling load calculations to ensure that the new system is the optimal system for your cooling needs and properly sized for your home.
Often times, the savings on energy costs alone make premium-efficiency replacement worthwhile. For more information, see the U.S. Department of Energy's Guide to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling at http://www.energystar.gov (click to download pdf)