Your HVAC system is responsible for keeping you comfortable throughout the year. In the winter, the system will keep you warm, and in the summer, your HVAC system will keep you cool. It also ventilates the air in your home to circulate fresh air and help remove dust and allergens.

To put it simply, you and your family will no longer stay comfortable inside your home, and your utility bills may be noticeably higher. Sometimes, efficiency issues may be solved with repairs. Other times it’s necessary to schedule an HVAC replacement

Continue reading below to learn some big signs it’s time to replace your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system versus repairing it.

Your HVAC System Is More Than 10 Years Old The average lifespan of an HVAC unit ranges between 10 and 20 years, depending on several factors. If your system is older than ten years, it may seem like it’s working. In reality, it has probably become much less efficient and may be costing you a lot of extra money. Many of the newer HVAC units are much more efficient. Some units have such a high-efficiency rating they can end up paying for themselves over time. As systems become older, they start to wear down. The more an HVAC system runs, the faster it ages. After a certain point, replacement becomes the more cost-effective option because you’ll save considerably on repairs, maintenance, and energy bills.

A small increase in your energy bills is standard when you need more heat or cooling than usual. Freezing winters and boiling summers are common causes to see a temporary increase in energy bills. But what if those energy bills continue to rise, despite no apparent changes to how you run your unit? The rise in costs may be slow and steady, but it can cost you a fortune over time. If this sounds like your situation, it’s probably time for an HVAC replacement.

If your air conditioning and heating system have broken, your repair cost will let you know whether it’s worthwhile to have a new one installed. If the repair costs half or more what a new unit would, experts recommend moving forward with a replacement. The idea is that more extensive repairs usually signal a unit that’s on its way out. Paying half or more the cost of an HVAC replacement isn’t an efficient use of time, money, or energy.

One of the most noticeable signs it’s time for an HVAC replacement is finding it challenging to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This includes finding it difficult to cool your home in summer and heat your home in winter. It may not be able to remove the humidity as efficiently as it did before, and that can make your indoor environment less comfortable. When an HVAC system either gets old or falls into a state of disrepair, it no longer works as efficiently as it once did. When a unit doesn’t work efficiently, it cannot do the job it was designed to. When your home can no longer be kept at an appropriate temperature, homeowners should start looking into replacing their HVAC units.

You may be familiar with the sounds of your HVAC system starting up and shutting off. While these noises are normal, many others are not. Loud clangs and bangs, or even whistling can be signs there is a significant issue. If these issues are caught early enough, it is sometimes reasonable to repair your HVAC unit. More often than not, however, these odd noises are signs of more significant issues that require replacing the entire central air conditioning and heating system.

Besides heating or cooling your home, an HVAC system is also meant to circulate air. By doing this, your HVAC system filters much of the dust and allergens from the air. If you notice more dust around your home, this is a sign your HVAC unit is no longer ventilating and filtering the air around your home correctly. The first step is to check the air filters to see if they need to be replaced or cleaned. If this doesn’t solve the problem, however, your unit might no longer be able to perform as it should.