Repair
or Replace?
Q: When should I repair older equipment and
when do I need to replace it?
That
"quick fix" may be the least expensive now, but it may not give
you the most value — or cost you the least — in the long run.
Paying for repairs to an old or
inefficient system often simply prolongs the inevitable. It’s almost
like putting a bandage on a serious injury. An older system that breaks
down once is likely to break down again ... and again. That means more
emergency service calls or, worse yet, the risk of damage to your home or
to other components of your heating and cooling system.
There’s also an ongoing cost
factor to consider. Restoring your old system will only bring it back to
its current level of energy efficiency. After you’ve recovered from the
repair bills and the frustration of system breakdowns, you still won’t
save on your energy bills.
Even six-year-old heat pumps
and air conditioners are considered grossly inefficient by today’s
energy efficiency standards. So are most furnaces built before 1980. So
you could save up to 60% on your energy bills with new high-efficiency
equipment. That’s why installing a new heating and cooling system can
actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.
Looking
at the Big Picture.
When one component of your
system breaks down unexpectedly, it’s easy to just focus on repairing or
replacing that component. But each part of your system works with the
others to boost efficiency and reliability, so it helps to keep the big
picture in mind.
Replacing your old furnace with
a new higher-efficiency model but leaving your old mechanical thermostat
in place, for example, won’t allow you to enjoy all the efficiency
advantages the furnace has to offer. Likewise, if you install a new
furnace but don’t get a humidifier, the air will seem cooler, forcing
you to operate your new system at a higher temperature to be comfortable.
Plus, you can often save on installation costs if you have several
components of your system (for example, a furnace and an air conditioner)
replaced at the same time.
Ask
Geisel
When you schedule an
appointment with a Geisel representative you can expect them to discuss
your individual needs for repairing or replacing your older system.
They can discuss your options and provide you with energy saving
information. Call to schedule
your appointment today. Don't wait for another breakdown or high utility
bill!
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