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Replacing Your Existing HVAC System
**A Dedication To Quality Workmanship
Replacing your home’s air conditioner is a decision that sometimes comes when you have repaired an old system for too many summers and it’s just time. Other times you have a major breakdown and it doesn’t pencil out to keep putting money into it. Regardless of the reason, we know it’s not a fun position to be in.
Our focus is always to be straightforward and honest. We would much rather help you repair your system first and if that is no longer an option and YOU choose to replace your air conditioner we are happy to support you. For us it comes down to building a long lasting trusting relationship with our customers.
Our Process
FREE Written Estimate
We always offer a free written estimate with no pressure or heavy sales pitch. Just a straightforward consultation.
Custom HVAC Design
We work with you to design a system that fits your home, your energy demands and your budget.
The Work
Now we order the equipment and get to work. We come prepared to protect your home, get your new system installed and haul away your old equipment.
Your New System
We spend the time to make sure you understand how to use your new HVAC system. We'll set up your new thermostat to your preferences so you stay comfortable from Day 1.
Clean Up
We clean up after ourselves, leaving your home just the way we found it if not better.
Warranty Support
We take care of all of the “after install” support. We make sure you know exactly how to use and maintain your system to keep warranties intact.
When is it Time to Buy a New AC System?
A lot of homeowners in Sacramento wonder when it's time to buy a new AC system. Maybe you're here contemplating the same thing. You may not know when you should pull the plug on an HVAC unit and replace it. So, we wanted to take a minute and evaluate this question. After all, this is going to be one of the biggest investments for your home. Let's look at some of the determining factors a lot of people use.
Type of Repairs Needed
One of the biggest things to consider when asking yourself if it's time to replace your system is the cost of repairs you are currently facing. If it's a minor repair like a capacitor, or wiring issue, it's not that big of a deal. But it's when you start getting into the major repairs that makes you think, "Is it time to buy a new AC system?"
Big repairs, like:
A compressor, the heart of the AC system.
A blower motor, which pushes the air through the ducts and into your rooms.
A control board, the brains of the system.
A heat exchanger, the firebox of the heater.
A leak in the refrigerant system, the medium for keeping your house cool.
The Type of Refrigerant
As time moves along, this issue is becoming less and less, but if a system that has R-22 freon as its refrigerant, and the system were to spring a leak, you'll likely end up needing to replace the lost freon with more.
The only major drawback of that is the phase-out of R-22 freon. Yes, that freon is still around. There are warehouse with supplies of it still on hand, but 2021 saw the cost of it go up 300%. Currently, R-22 sells for about $200 per lb.
Systems with R-410a have been installed since about 2010. That refrigerant is selling for about $100 per lb. This makes it really difficult when deciding when to buy a new AC system because replacing the refrigerant is one thing, but fixing the leak can cost upwards of $2500. Ouch!
Changes to Your Home
If you are remodeling or adding on a new room to the house, your existing system might not be sized properly to heat and cool the whole house any more. This means the system will have to run much longer and it may still never actually get your house to the temperature you want it. This is a reason it might make sense to replace it along with your home remodel.
Older Units
HVAC parts are designed to last about five to ten years. But as long as those parts are available, your system can still be repaired. We tell people HVAC systems are designed to last about 15 to 20 years. You're going to get a lot of different answers on that question by the way. Some companies will tell you 10 to 15 years just to convince you to buy a new system from them, now.
Regardless, it may be more cost-effective to replace an older unit instead of spending money on various repairs. Check out our True Cost Calculator on this page to see how much it can cost just to hang on to your existing system a few more years.
No one can tell you when it's time to buy a new AC system. They don't know your budget. They don't know that you might be moving in a couple of years. I've seen systems last over 40 years! I've seen systems fail at 10 years.
It may not be easy to decide whether it is worthwhile to keep repairing an existing system or replace it with a new HVAC system.
Consult with the heating and air conditioning contractor in Sacramento to avoid replacing an HVAC system that might have many years left. Whether you decide to replace or repair your HVAC system, Fox Family Heating and Air is here to help.
The "True Cost Calculator"
When you get into several hundred dollars for a repair, and you have an older system, that might be the time to consider getting a new HVAC system. Here's a scenario to see how much it would actually COST to hang on to your existing system "a few more years."
Because of inflation, of course, the cost of a new system goes up about $300 to $500 every year. In 2021, it went up 25%! That's about $2500. So a system that used to cost $10,000 just a year earlier in 2020, shot up to $12,500. Ridiculous, right?
If you're going to keep your existing system, let's say another three years. Will you encounter any repairs during those three years? Maybe. Let's say $350 to be on the low side.
You have today's repair, a blower motor for instance, that costs $850.
There is a sweet rebate in Sacramento County for $3000 if you switch over to a 2 stage or variable speed heat pump from your current gas furnace system. So many SMUD customers are doing this because of the savings they receive from running a variable speed system rather than a system that comes on at 100% power every time it operates. But, the thing about this rebate is, it may not be there in three years. It may not be there next year!
And the savings you'll receive from operating a new system, per year. Let's say $500 to be on the very conservative side.
So let's take a look at this cost calculator:
$500 per year on inflation x the three years you're going to hang on to this one = $1500
$350 for one more repair in the next three years on your existing system = $350
$850 for today's repair = $850
$500 a year in efficiency savings over the next three years = $1500
Grand total for hanging on to this system for a few more years versus getting one now:
$4200 without that rebate mentioned above.
$1200 with the rebate.
The level of malfunction from your HVAC unit is a good starting point when thinking about repairing or replacing that AC unit. Some defects, such as shorted electrical wires, are a no-brainer since they cost very little to fix. However, it may be wiser for you to replace the unit in case a Sacramento heating and air expert tells you that a major component, such as the compressor, has failed.
The decision to replace the air conditioning unit becomes more obvious in case the system is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Install a new unit so that you reduce your anxiety about more costly repairs.
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