What factors should you consider when deciding on a heating and cooling replacement for your home?

Home HVAC Replacement Considerations in Beaverton, OR

If you’re considering a new HVAC installation or HVAC replacement for your home, there are many different factors to consider. Choosing the right heating and cooling replacement system might seem overwhelming, but when you consult with an experienced HVAC technician, it will be much less stressful. At Oregon Heating & Air Conditioning, we have extensive experience helping homeowners find the perfect HVAC system for their needs, goals, lifestyle, and budget. We understand that upgrading your home’s HVAC system is a big investment, and we want to make sure you are empowered to decide what system will work best for you and your household.

We will work with you every step of the way, helping you navigate all factors to think about for heating and cooling upgrades. Choosing the right size HVAC system for your needs will improve the system’s energy efficiency and performance and keep your energy bills reasonable. Read through our list of home HVAC replacement considerations in Beaverton, OR, and then call us to schedule a consultation or request an estimate.

What Are the Key Considerations for HVAC System Replacement?

Your home’s HVAC system consists of a heating system, ventilation system, and air conditioning unit or cooling system. Each of these elements should work together seamlessly to improve the comfort, safety, and energy efficiency of your home. While your HVAC system won’t last forever, choosing the right system for your needs will ensure it lasts as long as possible and keeps your home comfortable year-round. An energy-efficient HVAC system with a SEER rating of 15 or more will reduce your household’s energy consumption and lower your energy bills. The right size HVAC unit will heat and cool your home comfortably without wasting energy. Hiring a certified HVAC technician for energy-efficient HVAC installation will guarantee that your unit is installed properly, your ductwork is sealed or insulated, and your unit is as powerful and efficient as possible. The most important factors to consider when upgrading your HVAC system are:

• Your budget.
• Your household’s specific needs and goals.
• Your plans for your home.
• Energy efficiency and your home energy usage.
• The climate in your region.
• The size of the system is determined by an approved HVAC size calculator.
• Finding the right HVAC contractor.
• Your time commitment to properly using and maintaining the HVAC system.

Your Budget for New HVAC Installation

It may seem obvious, but the first thing you should consider is your budget for a new HVAC installation. You want to be able to commit to installing the most energy-efficient, powerful unit for your household’s size and needs. If you don’t have the cash in hand for the cost of the HVAC unit and installation, you can explore your options for HVAC financing. HVAC financing allows you to get the system you need when you need it without having to save up for months to afford it.  Oregon Heating & Air Conditioning has convenient, easy payment plans available on approved credit. If your old system has died or is extremely inefficient and your energy bills are skyrocketing, using HVAC financing offers an immediate solution. The average cost of a new HVAC system installation in Oregon is roughly $13,000, with budget-friendly installation options costing around $10,000 and higher-end systems costing upwards of $18,000.

Your Household’s Heating & Cooling Needs & Goals

Next, you should consider your home’s specific heating and cooling needs and goals. If you have a large, older house that is drafty, you will need to either commit to home repairs to add insulation and close off gaps and cracks, or you will need a unit powerful enough to keep your home comfortable despite the drafts. If you have a small, newer home, you don’t need a large HVAC unit. Installing a unit that is too large for your home will result in wasted energy and costly energy bills. Likewise, installing a smaller unit for a large, multi-story home means the home will likely never get to the temperature you and your family want. If you have a two-story home, you may want to consider a zone system to control the temperature difference between upstairs and downstairs.  Or if you have a large, multi-generational family with different comfort needs in the summer and winter. This allows more control over the temperature in your home from room to room. An elderly person might want it warmer in their bedroom than a teenager would, for instance.

Your Future Plans for Your Home

Another important factor to consider is your plans for your home. If you plan on selling your home in five or 10 years, you should choose an HVAC system that is new, highly energy-efficient, and will age well. The right HVAC system can add value to your home and make it easier to sell in the future. If you install the smallest or least expensive HVAC unit, it will likely need to be replaced in 10 years when it’s time to sell your home.

Your Home Energy Usage & Improving Energy-Efficiency

If possible, you should schedule a home energy audit or use a power consumption meter to evaluate your home’s monthly energy usage. Some households use a lot more energy than others, and it’s possible that you could reduce your energy consumption and lower your energy bills. Installing an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR-rated HVAC system can significantly lower your energy usage and bills. If you and your family are committed to improving your energy efficiency, you should only consider installing ENERGY STAR-certified HVAC systems with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 15 or higher. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the HVAC system is. Because almost half of the energy used in your home goes towards heating and cooling it, choosing an energy-efficient system can make a big difference. Replacing your old HVAC system with an ENERGY STAR-certified system can reduce your annual energy bill by up to $140.

Your Regional Climate

You will also have to consider your regional climate when choosing your HVAC system. If you live in a moderate climate that doesn’t get very hot in the summer or very cold in the winter, you might consider a heat pump rather than an HVAC system. If you live in an area that experiences winter storms, snow, and ice and gets over 80 degrees in the summer, you will need an HVAC system. Also, a home in a mild climate will have different summer cooling needs than one in a hotter or more humid area. Your HVAC system will have to work harder in the summer to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This is another reason why choosing an energy-efficient system is so important.

Getting the Right Size System for Your Home

The size of your HVAC system will depend on the size of your home, how insulated it is, the quality and layout of your ductwork, your regional climate, how many windows you have, the direction or orientation of your home, and the number of people in your household. In general, you should rely on the advice and recommendation of your HVAC technician after an Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) certified manual j load calculation is performed, when choosing the size of your HVAC unit. Many homeowners either buy a unit that is too large or too small because they don’t have a proper load calculation performed by the installing contractor. A unit that is too large for your home will waste energy and cost you more than you need to spend on your energy bills and potentially reduced the lifespan of the unit due to short cycling (turning off and on too often). A unit that is too small will have to work harder to heat and cool your home, which means you’ll be spending a lot of money on energy bills, and your home might still not be comfortable. Plus, the unit might break down faster due to excessive use.

Finding a Qualified HVAC Contractor In Your Area

Your HVAC system will need to be installed by a qualified HVAC contractor in your area. Ask friends and family to recommend a reliable, reputable local HVAC contractor they have worked with. You can also ask other professional home improvement specialists or technicians who they would recommend. Check each HVAC company’s website to evaluate their experience, qualifications, and services. Pay attention to any special certifications or training they have. Then, read customer reviews and testimonials to ensure they don’t have any major complaints against them. You can also confirm they are fully licensed and insured and don’t have any violations against their license. Finally, call them and request a consultation and estimate. Ask any questions and ensure they are knowledgeable and easy to communicate with.

Committing the Time to Properly Maintaining the HVAC System

Once your HVAC system is installed, you can do your part to make sure it operates properly for as long as possible. If you don’t properly care for your HVAC system, it is more likely to break down or require costly repairs long before its time. Then, you will have invested a lot of money to install a system that fails prior to its life expectancy. Preventive HVAC maintenance and routine or seasonal check-ups and tune-ups will keep your system operating efficiently and effectively for years. You can get the most out of your investment by committing your time to properly caring for and maintaining your HVAC system.

Looking for More Home Comfort System Replacement Factors?

If you still need assistance determining what type of HVAC system is right for your household’s needs, our experienced HVAC technicians at Oregon Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our locally-owned and operated business treats our technicians and customers like family. Our goal is to provide quality workmanship and exceptional customer service and exceed our customers’ expectations on every job. We specialize in heating and cooling system inspections, repairs, installations, replacements and upgrades, and routine maintenance and service.

If you’re looking for the perfect HVAC system for your home, we can help you understand the key considerations for HVAC system replacement in Beaverton, OR, and the surrounding areas. One of our friendly, knowledgeable technicians will come to your home and assess its size, age, and condition and go over your needs, goals, and budget. We can then provide a general estimate for the cost of installing a new HVAC system. Call us today or contact us online to get started. We offer heating and cooling services throughout Oregon, including Beaverton, Portland, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Tigard, Sherwood, Wilsonville, Newberg, Dundee, Yamhill, Carlton, and Forest Grove, OR.