The Ghosts of HVAC Past: When It’s Time to Upgrade Your System

There’s something a little spooky about October. Crackling leaves. Whispering winds. Strange sounds coming from your HVAC unit.  Are the ghosts of HVAC past trying to send you a message about your unit’s future? Are they telling you it’s time to upgrade to something new? Fortunately, Ernst Heating & Cooling of Hamel, IL, is fluent in HVAC language. Our professional HVAC technicians can assess your HVAC system and tell you whether it needs a simple fix or something more extensive. We’ll also let you know if you would be better served by an upgrade to a shiny new HVAC unit.

Time moves quickly. You may think your HVAC unit is only a few years old, but a quick look at your records shows it’s getting up there in age. According to EnergySTAR, heat pumps and air conditioners have about a 10-year lifespan, while furnaces and boilers will give you about 15 years. If your unit is nearing the end of those age spans, you may want to consider an upgrade before the old one starts to haunt you.

Consider, too, the $5,000 rule. When your Ernst Heating & Cooling HVAC technician gives you a repair estimate, multiply that number by the age of your existing unit. If it’s more than $5,000, it’s time to talk about a replacement. 

Strange noises around your HVAC unit don’t mean it’s haunted. They may, however, indicate that your unit is trying to tell you something. Keep an eye (and ear) out for these warning signs:

Loud and unusual noises should never be ignored. Sure, you’re going to hear muffled sounds when the fan kicks on. But strange noises, like grinding, grating, whistling, bumps or thuds, should have you reaching out to Ernst Heating & Cooling.

Foul odors can indicate problems with mold, mildew, or burned-out wires and motors. Sometimes these problems can be easily fixed. But sometimes the smell is the first sign that your HVAC system is nearing the end of its good days. Remember, a rotten egg smell indicates a potential natural gas leak and should never be ignored. Turn off your equipment, leave the home, and call 911 if something smells rotten around your HVAC unit.

Uneven heating is more than just an inconvenience for the person whose bedroom won’t get warm at night. It’s a sign that something’s not right with your system or ductwork.

Higher energy bills already send chills down your spine when they arrive. Certainly, some of the increase can be attributed to inflation. But if you notice extraordinarily high bills, your HVAC unit may no longer be working efficiently. Broken parts and outdated technologies can force it to expend extra energy, resulting in higher bills.

Frequent repairs can wind up costing you more than you’d spend on a new unit. As much as Ernst Heating & Cooling loves spending time with our customers, we’d much rather skip the frequent repair calls and set you up with a new system that’s more energy-efficient and under warranty.

Choosing something new

While it’s tempting to try to hang onto your HVAC system indefinitely, that decision can have terrifying consequences. Nobody wants to discover a broken furnace during one of the coldest nights of the year. Guard against these dreadful surprises by scheduling an appointment with Ernst Heating & Cooling to discuss HVAC upgrades. We can discuss various options, from quick fixes to new HVAC units that bring you the latest in heating and cooling technologies. We understand that our customers don’t always have spare money sitting around to cover the cost of an HVAC upgrade. That’s why we offer smart financing and can discuss various tax savings opportunities and rebates. You may also discover energy savings that help offset the cost of a new unit.

Don’t be spooked by the thought of a new HVAC unit. Instead, let Ernst Heating & Cooling help you decide if it’s time to upgrade. Call us now at (618) 217-1836 or schedule an appointment online. Leave the tricks to the ghosts and goblins who are coming by in a few weeks, and let Ernst Heating & Cooling treat you with the best local service.