Winter in Tampa, FL is both mild and pleasant. With daytime temperatures ranging from the low 60s to the mid-70s, most homes remain sufficiently warm on their own. But when the occasional cold snap rolls in, the mercury can dip to just 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Without a working heater, your pipes could freeze, and residents could develop hypothermia. If you have an older HVAC system, it’s important to prepare for the unexpected. Read on to learn whether you should replace your heater before winter arrives or fix it instead.
Advanced Age
Furnaces and heat pumps have average lifespans of 15 to 20 years. If your heating system has already supplied more than two decades of service, replacing it before winter arrives is the best choice. It makes no sense to pay for costly repairs today when there’s a good chance that you’ll still need a new heater in the near future.
Heat Pumps and Advanced Age
Many homeowners in Tampa use heat pumps for year-round climate control. Unlike furnaces, these appliances don’t have regular, extended periods of dormancy. They work hard and sustain cumulative wear in every season. With Tampa’s hot and humid summer weather, heat pumps work especially hard from June through October.
Although heat pumps can last up to 20 years as cooling systems, a heat pump that you use year-round probably won’t. If your heat pump is 10 years old or older and needs a costly repair, schedule a pre-winter heat pump replacement now.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
As they age, HVAC systems can develop tacky accumulations of trapped dirt, dust, dander, and other particulate matter on their interior components. Even with professional tune-up and cleaning services, much of this debris remains.
During furnace or heat pump operation, trapped debris can break free and reenter the indoor air. These buildups can inhibit airflow and diminish humidity regulation. In humid climates like Tampa’s, they also create the perfect conditions for mold and mildew formation.
Replacing older furnaces and heat pumps is sometimes the best way to keep homes healthy and comfortable. You should choose HVAC replacement rather than repairs if turning your heater on causes unpleasant, indoor air quality (IAQ) symptoms, such as:
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing, sneezing, or wheezing
- Recurring headaches
- Skin irritation or skin rashes
Poor IAQ can lead to poor sleep quality. It can also exacerbate the symptoms of chronic respiratory ailments like asthma, allergies, and COPD. HVAC replacement for improved IAQ can be especially important for households with newborn babies, aging adults, and residents with terminal illnesses.
Rising Energy Bills
According to some estimates, heaters and air conditioners lose nearly half of their efficiency after just 10 years of use. These efficiency losses remain progressive until homeowners replace these appliances.
According to the U.S.Department of Energy (DOE), HVAC use accounts for approximately 50% of the average household’s energy bill. However, this cost should be much lower for homeowners in Tampa. While local temperatures can certainly plummet during the winter season, seasonal heating needs are moderate overall. If you’ve been paying a small fortune to use your heater for the past several years, replacement will prove more cost-effective than repairs.
Unpleasant Smells During Operation
Built-up debris in old heating equipment can do more than lower your IAQ. It can also make your home smell dank and musty or fill your living space with dry, burnt odors. Although professional HVAC maintenance can eliminate some furnace and heat pump odors, the best way to get rid of age-related smells is often replacement.
Expensive Repairs
As a general rule, HVAC experts recommend swapping old heaters out when the cost of fixing them is more than half the cost of replacement. Among the most expensive repairs for heat pumps and furnaces are:
- Faulty evaporator and condenser coils
- Cracked heat exchangers
- Damaged combustion chambers
- Compressor failure
- Refrigerant leaks
If your heat pump is in relatively good condition but needs a new capacitor or contactor switch, fixing it makes the most sense. This is also true if you have a 10-year-old furnace with a faulty flame sensor but reliable performance overall.
Expired Manufacturers’ Warranties
New furnaces and heat pumps come with manufacturers’ warranties. These warranties cover the costs of replacing or repairing defective components or problems resulting from faulty design or poor assembly. While manufacturer warranties help homeowners limit their out-of-pocket spending on heater repair services, they have finite lifespans.
If your furnace or heat pump needs a major repair but has an expired warranty, replacing your heater will provide the best value. You’ll get new and more efficient heating equipment along with all-new warranty protections.
Uneven Heating
Standard, central HVAC systems should heat homes uniformly. They should create roughly the same temperature in all building areas. As they age, furnaces and heat pumps have an increasingly difficult time producing sufficient heat and distributing it. If you have hot and cold spots throughout your home and have never had them before, this could be an age-related sign that it’s time to replace your heater.
Frequent Mid-Season Breakdowns
In winter, your furnace or heat pump will work hardest when you need it most. If local temperatures plummet and you’re relying on your heater to keep your pipes and household from freezing, this is the most likely time for stress-related failure. Frequent mid-season breakdowns in recent years could mean that your heater is no longer capable of reliable performance when demand is high. With pre-winter heater replacement, you can avoid a home heating emergency.
The Benefits of Replacing an Old Furnace
Even if your older furnace isn’t diminishing your indoor air quality, raising your energy bills, or emitting foul smells, there are still good reasons to replace rather than repair it. Among popular home improvements, HVAC replacements provide some of the most impressive returns.
Increased Home Value
New heating installation can significantly increase your home’s value and marketability. Whether you intend to sell your Tampa home, use it for rental income, or turn it into a vacation property, you’ll have an easier time attracting qualified buyers or tenants.
Quiet Operation
HVAC systems become increasingly noisy as they age. If the sound of your heat pump or furnace turning on jolts you awake, a new unit will offer whisper-quiet operation.
Energy-Efficient Heating Equipment
HVAC replacement is a chance to take advantage of recent innovations in home heating. You can explore your options in next-generation heat pump refrigerants, variable-speed motors, and integrative, smart HVAC features.
Peace of Mind
When you repair a furnace or heat pump that’s close to the end of its lifespan, there’s always the fear that the next repair or the need for replacement is just around the corner. With new heating equipment, you can enjoy energy savings, better performance, and lasting peace of mind.
Since 2010, Ahoy! Cooling & Heating has proudly served Tampa and the surrounding cities with expert HVAC services. With flat-rate pricing, peace-of-mind guarantees, and financing on approved credit, we’re a top choice for heating replacement. For expert heating installation or repair services in Tampa, get in touch with Ahoy! Cooling & Heating today!
