Are modern Central Heat and Air systems significantly more efficient compared to a system installed in the late 90s? WOuld I see a drop in energy cost to justify the cost of a new system?
I would say most definitely.
http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/be-efficient/whats-a-seer/
http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/repair-vs-replace/
http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/be-efficient/whats-a-seer/
http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/repair-vs-replace/
We just upgraded from an 80's system, and it certainly helped. Probably be a 6-8 year payout as we went high end.
I'm betting some of the more experienced AC folks will be online to offer a more professional opinion.
I'm betting some of the more experienced AC folks will be online to offer a more professional opinion.
That all depends on the quality and efficiency of your old system vs the new. HVAC systems are built to live for about 20 years. mid 90s is certainly coming up on that. There are many older systems- 30+ that are still going, and they can work just fine if they are regularly maintained, but they are not built for that.
it also depends on the type of system you have, a heat pump uses the AC unit in reverse to create heat rather than an electric strip heater or gas furnace. The heat pump is very efficient, but when it gets real cold, the auxiliary heater comes on (electric strip)
The first thing you should consider are drafts. replacing door strips and sealing the windows can make a huge difference that a new HVAC won't fix.
it also depends on the type of system you have, a heat pump uses the AC unit in reverse to create heat rather than an electric strip heater or gas furnace. The heat pump is very efficient, but when it gets real cold, the auxiliary heater comes on (electric strip)
The first thing you should consider are drafts. replacing door strips and sealing the windows can make a huge difference that a new HVAC won't fix.
Our current system is a conventional system, using natural gas for heat. We are getting new windows installed later this month or first bit of February.. they were ordered today.. we still have the original 1950 single pane windows...when the north winds blows our curtains move..I blew insulation in the attic about two years ago and that helped a bit.
Summer heat will give us about a 200.00 a month electric bill on a 900 sqft house...and we set it around 73 or 74.. so I imagine the new windows will be a huge help.
Summer heat will give us about a 200.00 a month electric bill on a 900 sqft house...and we set it around 73 or 74.. so I imagine the new windows will be a huge help.
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The first thing you should consider are drafts. replacing door strips and sealing the windows can make a huge difference that a new HVAC won't fix.
^^^^^This
And...depends, it will certainly be more comfy.....great money savings?
I havent seen it, in some cases yes, over a 20 yr old system...over all....it will be more comfy....
^^^^^This
And...depends, it will certainly be more comfy.....great money savings?
I havent seen it, in some cases yes, over a 20 yr old system...over all....it will be more comfy....
we replaced the whole system in our last house. It was built in the '80's and made a big difference in utility bills. The ducts were in the floor and sand was blowing in from foundation.
I replaced a 1970's furnace and mid 80's a/c in my last house with a 80% furnace 16 seer a/c. It paid for itself in 2yrs. Bills went from the 400.00's to 75 a month. I also added insulation repaired drafts but the majority of savings was in the hvac system. Buy as high efficiency system as you can afford to if your gonna be in the house awhile. I think you can get 90% furnaces now.
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This^^ I got new windows from Thermal Windows of OK and that made a huge difference. New AC about 6 years ago and I noticed some difference but the windows really made a lot of improvement.
