topic Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help! in Home

Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

wenfen — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:21:53 GMT

Just had the furnace man here & while I know our 1/2 HVAC is the original 28 years old, it still works great & we've already decided Not to replace parts if necessary. The Service man who is super honest suggested I speak with the new equipment dept & just get an estimate just in case our furnace goes out during the predicted cold, snowy winter. I was very impressed with the man that came out to speak with me because he didn't even attempt to Upcharge for a unit with all the bells & whistles (not necessary), but instead offered a great price on a basic get it done Furnace & A/C...so now I need to decide by the end of the year (no pressure...but prices will be going up 6%) if I should just bite the bullet & replace the old HVAC system, or press my luck to get a few more months or years out of the current one. With all the unrest in the world & potential gas prices going up effecting the supply chain...logic is telling me to just do it now! I would love to hear everyone's opinions on this major purchase. TIA!!!

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

DrakesMomma — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:26:43 GMT

Even though it works, at 28 years old I wonder how efficient is it? A new one would probably use a lot less electricity.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

PickyPicky3 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:28:12 GMT

Right now there are so many incredible tax deductions and rebates on energy efficient HVAC. Do it now.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

kaydee50 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:34:13 GMT

Wow! I'm surprised it last that long. Agree with others that the efficiency and rebates would make it worthwhile to replace now. $7,625 actually sounds very reasonable to me.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Fressa — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:37:26 GMT

We just went thru a few major replacements this year as everything was breaking down at the same time. First--do it now. Better to do it before you are in the position with no hear/air and no selection as to what model they have in stock. No gurantees on delivery dates if they are not in stock.

The tax deductiion gives you some $ back depending on what you choose and when.

I did find that the new models run more efficiently and do save a few $ on your monthly bills.

No one likes to write these kinds of checks but it's part of being a home owner. The best that can happen is the timing of the replacement. Good Luck with your decision.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

DrKelli — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:37:55 GMT

Efficiency is the key. When I replaced my furnace a few years ago--my utility bills decreased a lot! Like my natural gas bill isn't more than 40 or 50 bucks in the winter.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

kaiwahini — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:38:58 GMT

My husband works in HVAC distributing equipment to contractors. It is going to be less $$ now than a year from now and the previous poster is correct that a new unit will be much more efficient. If money is tight, you can ask about financing. All that being said, we have a 22 year old system and it's running fine, so we are waiting to replace our units. My husband had to replace a couple parts on one unit, but it's working.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

geezerette — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:40:11 GMT

A few years ago I replaced one that was about half the age of yours for almost twice what you were quoted, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. This unit is much more efficient, comfortable, and costs a lot less to run.

The only reasons I could see to not replace now would be if money was a concern or if you are planning on moving in the near future, although even then it's a good selling point.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Effie54 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:40:31 GMT

Seems like you're going to have to replace it eventually. We replaced ours and never regretted it. It was much more energy efficient.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

mizree — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:41:42 GMT

@wenfen you will likely be surprised at the monthly utility savings with a new unit. it is one of those things we cannot do without, especially in extreme temps, so nice to be able to shop and schedule before out of service.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

tends2dogs — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:12:45 GMT

We have something similar going on in our "down south" home. Our AC unit is old, but functions well. We get yearly checks and the guy always says if it works, why change it out? He sells AC.

Our main question to him was how soon could we get a replacement if this one goes out? He said less than a week. That is fine with us so we are going to stick with Old Faithful for now. LOL

As far as the energy savings and lower utility bill, I'm not buying that sales pitch. We had an old refrigerator repaired to use in our garage. I asked the repairman if the thing was an energy hog compared to the newer ones. He just rolled his eyes and said to keep it. He said it was better than anything you could buy now.

Do what you have to do. The other poster that said their DH was an HVAC guy and their unit is 22 years old speaks volumes to me.

Nothing lasts like the stuff made years ago. My sister still has a 30 year old GE refrigerator that is going strong.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Imaoldhippie — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:27:48 GMT

@wenfen ...............This is just me but a 28 year old system will sooner than later bite the dust, to say nothing of being less efficient. If it were me I would replace it now instead of waiting until some 40 below day and go without any heat, and the installers are busy and you have to wait days or weeks.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

chlema — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:32:19 GMT

@tends2dogs My a/c is 22 yrs. old, a Trane - that keeps on running. My electric bills this summer were much less than my neighbors who have newer units but maybe they keep their house cooler than I do - keep mine set at 74 deg. I know I will have to replace it soon but I'm told the new Trane units are not near as good as the older ones. All units of today will never last so long.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Sooner — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:39:02 GMT

Anything like that replace now if you can. You never know when the supply chain will be interrupted and you may not be able to get one at any price.

Look for bids from two or three suppliers and get a good brand. Look up ratings online. Also look carefully for company ratings and look for a company that has been around awhile and gets good reviews. Check on service contracts for yearly maintenance and such too. And BE SURE YOU HAVE A CARBON MONOXIDE alarm if it is gas.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

SilleeMee — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:39:42 GMT

Replacing an old furnace/ac will save you money in the long run. Today's appliances are energy-efficient so the savings will show up on your utility bills month after month. I would replace an old system asap.

Put more insulation in your attic to save more money.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

D Kay — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:54:05 GMT

My 15 year old air conditioning unit went out this summer. It took 2 weeks to get the parts because they were no longer kept at the company's ware house. They said to replace the gas furnace and a/c unit it would take months because of their waiting list. A new unit would be more efficient. Do it while the weather is mild.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Desert Lily — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:59:37 GMT

@wenfen Regulations have caused accepted AC refrigerants to change over the years. I'd ask if the refrigerant for the old AC is still available and for how long.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Meowingkitty — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 18:18:48 GMT

I would replace it now before the prices go up. While we don't have a furnace (we have a heat pump) our a/c runs from March and is still running now into October. (Were in Arizona). Our a/c units typically last 12 - 15 years sometimes longer with good maintenance.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Kachina624 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 18:25:25 GMT

Big pro is you won't be sitting in a freezing house on the coldest day day of winter waiting for a repairman who's booked til next Wednesday, when your aging heater finally conks out.

Re: Pros/Cons Replacing Working 28 Year Old HVAC? Approx $7625! Help!

Spacrazy — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 18:31:19 GMT

@wenfen: I could have written your post this time last year and but now I would pay that money for the piece of mind it gave me. I have never regretted this purchase. Even the installation was easy ~ they were in and out ~ no fuss no mess left. Money well spent.