New HVACs are Greener, But How Much Can They Save You?

From Brittany on May 5th, 2011 in Air Conditioning & Heating

Summer is fast approaching, and you know what that means: scorching heat waves and energy bills so expensive they make your blood boil. But you shouldn’t have to suffer when the old air conditioner shuts down after weeks of working overtime. Rather, you can read on to learn if your HVAC needs replacing, what it will cost you, and how much cheaper your utilities will be from then on.

Average Costs to Replace HVAC

How much will a new HVAC cost you? Central air conditioning systems typically cost $1,500 to $3,000 to replace, while a warm air furnace costs about $1,500 to $3,800. You can take $300 back from the IRS, however, by purchasing an approved energy-efficient central air conditioning unit or an air source heat pump. There’s also a federal rebate of $150 for installing a radiant heating system or replacing your furnace with an approved appliance.

To find out what a new HVAC system would cost in your area, click here.

Is Your HVAC an Energy Drain?

According to Energy Star, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit over 10 years old should indeed be replaced. Systems made around 2001 or before are not nearly as efficient as models of today. But even if your unit hasn’t reached it’s tenth birthday yet, you can probably still save money if you’re having climate control problems in your house.

Is there one room, for example, that is always too hot or too cold? A properly sized and correctly installed HVAC unit can solve that problem. Do you have humidity issues? Dry air in the winter? A noisy HVAC unit? All of these may be related to the age and efficiency of your old HVAC system.

Reduce Your Energy Bills

Replacing something like a heating and cooling system can seem huge, but it’s actually an investment that pays itself off faster than you think. Your home appliances should be working for you, not against you. So how much can a brand new appliance really save you?

On average, a new HVAC system can cut 20% off your heating and cooling bills alone. Add some other updates and modifications to your house, and you could be heating and cooling your home faster and easier while using less energy.

Remember that your new HVAC unit must be the right size for your home or the room you will be cooling. Even an efficient and properly installed air conditioner can waste energy and money if it’s too big or too small. Too much cooling power can also lead to cold and clammy air and indoor mold growth, while too little results in constant use of energy and money for a house that is still too hot.

A portable air conditioner or a window unit is a good choice for cooling a single room with the door closed. A ductless air conditioning system can work well in small homes or those with very open floor plans. Split system or central air conditioning is the most efficient way to cool an entire house.

Which States Offer Rebates for HVAC Upgrades?

The government knows that poor energy efficiency is a nationwide problem, and that’s why it offers incentives at  the federal and state levels to households that upgrade appliances.

Although some states have stopped offering tax credits for homes that upgrade their HVAC systems, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced that rebates are still available for California, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.

Photo Credit: Alamos Basement & Roland Tanglao via Flickr CC