12 Signs You Might Need an HVAC Replacement

Posted October 10, 2024

The average lifespan of an HVAC system is between 10 and 15 years. Once it reaches this span, it’s important to monitor it to determine whether it’s still functioning properly.

What kinds of things should you keep an eye on? This article is going to tell you. Here are 12 signs that you might need an HVAC replacement.

1. Your HVAC Is Making Strange Noises

One sign that you might need the help of an HVAC company is that your HVAC is making strange noises. This could be anything from squeaks to bangs to rattles.

For instance, a banging noise from your condenser might indicate something trapped in it. If the condenser’s impeller is making contact with that “something,” the impeller could very well suffer damage. This would require, at the very least, a repair and, at the very most, a full AC replacement.

Rattling noises often indicate a loose component. Buzzing noises often indicate a malfunction with the AC condenser. Clicking sounds often come from furnaces when they’re facing ignition issues.

In any case, if new noises have presented themselves, they need to be assessed carefully. Find a local HVAC service company and have them inspect your HVAC unit. They’ll find the noise source and then make any repairs and replacements.

2. Your HVAC System Isn’t Providing Warm/Cold Air

A sure sign that your HVAC system isn’t producing warm or cold air is that it isn’t working as designed.

This might be a problem that can be fixed with a repair. However, a full unit replacement might be required. It all depends on the source of the issue.

If it’s due to a refrigerant leak, the fix is simple. You must simply patch up the leak and add a new batch of AC refrigerant. If it’s due to a bad motor, then a full replacement would likely be the ideal option.

Regardless, you should first have the problem checked out by a professional HVAC technician. They’ll determine which fix is required and then implement that fix.

3. Foul Odors Are Coming from Your Vents

Another indication that you might need an HVAC replacement is foul odors coming from your ducts. This is particularly true if those odors are of burnt electric components—specifically, a metallic smell.

Burnt electric smells occur when motor components become overworked. These smells could indicate a bad motor, which would likely require a full HVAC replacement.

On the other hand, if the smell is more of a musty variety, it’s probably just an issue of dirty ducts. Mold and dust build up in duct systems over time. Then, as air passes through the ducts, it brings a musty odor with it, pouring it out into the home.

This can generally be fixed with a simple duct cleaning. Your local HVAC company can facilitate this cleaning, which you should do every 3 to 5 years as routine maintenance.

4. Your AC Isn’t Eliminating Humidity

Air conditioners aren’t just designed to cool homes; they’re also designed to rid those homes of humidity. If your home is still extremely humid, although your AC is running, there’s undoubtedly a problem at hand.

The most likely problem is that your AC’s evaporator coils are dirty. To solve the problem, they will need to be cleaned. Note, though, that these coils can wear down over time, in which case a coil replacement and maybe even a full-unit replacement would be needed instead.

The other potential cause is a lack of refrigerant in the AC system. This problem can be quickly remedied by simply adding more refrigerant.

First, try cleaning the coils and adding fresh refrigerant. If those measures don’t help, hire an experienced HVAC technician for a formal inspection.

5. Your Energy Bills Are Rising

HVAC units comprise a large portion of any home’s energy usage. So when they wear down and deteriorate, they can drastically bump up a home’s monthly energy costs. This is because they struggle to function and use more energy than they used to.

As such, if your energy bills are rising, you should examine your HVAC system more closely. It could very well be the culprit.

You might find several things, many of which can be repaired, some of which will require a full HVAC replacement. For instance, whereas dirty coils can be fixed with a repair, an ailing motor will likely necessitate a full HVAC replacement.

In some cases, the HVAC system is too old to perform as it once did. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace it with a highly efficient, modern HVAC unit.

6. Your HVAC System Is Old

Old age alone could be reason enough to replace an HVAC system. Once an HVAC system reaches a certain age, it will lack the efficiency of modern systems. As such, it will end up costing you more month-to-month than what you would pay if you had just installed a new system.

As noted at the top of this article, most HVAC systems last between 15 and 15 years. If your HVAC system has surpassed the top end of this range, you should consider replacing it. This is even more true in cases where you’re having to repair the HVAC system regularly.

Of course, you can do what you want. As long as you’re getting proper heating and cooling, you can make do with old reliable. However, you should at least consider a replacement.

If you need help deciding, call your local heating and air conditioning service. They’ll inspect your HVAC system to determine the best course of action.

7. There’s Gas Leaking from Your Furnace

Gas leaking from the furnace is one of the more troubling signs of a need for an HVAC replacement. Gas leaks can be deadly, not only because they can lead to explosions but because they can result in the occupants of the home inhaling carbon monoxide.

If you smell gas leaking from your furnace, leave your home immediately. Turn off the gas and call your local HVAC company. They’ll inspect your furnace to determine the cause of the leak.

In some cases, the cause of the leak can be repaired. In other cases, the only solution is a full furnace replacement.

8. There’s Very Little Air Coming from Your Vents

You might be getting the desired cool or hot air from your HVAC unit. However, if you’re not getting enough of it, your system isn’t going to be able to maintain the temperature you’ve set on your thermostat. As such, if you feel only a light gust of air from your vents, you need to go into problem-solving mode.

The issue could be as simple as blocked ducts. If you’ve allowed dust and other debris to build up within your duct system, the air isn’t going to be able to move freely. Therefore, it will come out in much smaller gusts than it’s supposed to.

If that’s the case, you’ll be able to fix the problem simply by cleaning your ducts. Your HVAC company can carry out that task for you.

Conversely, the problem could lie in your condenser. If it’s starting to fail, it might not be able to generate enough air, which will likely require a full replacement of your air conditioner.

In any case, it’s best to have the problem checked out by a professional first. They’ll figure out what’s causing the problem and then make all of the important fixes.

9. Your Unit Is Short Cycling

Short cycling is a problem in which an AC or furnace turns on for a few seconds, turns off for a few seconds, and then repeats the process in perpetuity. While this may result in an adequately cooled or warmed room, it wastes tremendous amounts of energy and puts undue strain on the HVAC system as a whole.

Now, what causes short cycling? It could be something as simple as a dirty air filter. If that’s the case, you should change it.

Note that loose or deteriorated electrical wiring and frozen evaporator coils can also cause this problem.

This problem could also arise if you purchased the wrong size of furnace or air conditioner. In that case, you would undoubtedly need to replace it with a new one.

10. Your HVAC System Is Breaking Down Frequently

A repair will often suffice to keep your HVAC system operational. That said, there comes a time when enough is enough. If you must repair your HVAC system yearly due to frequent breakdowns, it’s probably time to replace it entirely.

This is particularly true if you’ve owned your HVAC unit for 10 years or longer. At that point, frequent breakdowns are signs that your HVAC system has grown old. In other words, these are to be expected.

Of course, you could continue to shell additional money into barely keeping your current HVAC system alive. On the other hand, you could purchase a new HVAC system and not have to worry about these problems for years to come. Generally speaking, the latter is the ideal option.

11. Refrigerant is Leaking from Your AC

An air conditioner must be filled with refrigerant to produce cold air. This facilitates the air conditioning process.

Unfortunately, an air conditioner occasionally experiences a refrigerant leak. For instance, the refrigerant line leading into the home might become pierced. When this occurs, the air conditioner eventually stops working.

In many cases, it’s wise to fix this problem with a repair. That said, in some cases, a refrigerant leak could spell the end of the HVAC system. To help you decide, have your unit inspected by a professional HVAC repair technician.

12. Your HVAC System Is Slow to Respond

One last sign you might need to replace your HVAC system is its slow response. When a thermostat change is made, the corresponding HVAC system should accommodate that change within seconds. If it takes 30 seconds or longer, there’s undoubtedly a problem.

The thermostat is most likely the issue. That said, there could also be a problem with the sensors in the furnace and/or air conditioner.

Regardless, you should call your HVAC repair tech. They’ll assess the situation and then determine the proper fix.

To find an HVAC repair tech, search a search engine and type “HVAC repair near me” or “HVAC technician near me.” This will return a list of potential candidates.

In Need of an HVAC Replacement?

Is your HVAC system showing signs of disrepair? Is it in need of replacement? If so, we at Happy Hiller are the ones to see.

Whether your HVAC needs repair, replacement, or other assistance, our team of seasoned and skilled HVAC technicians can help. Don’t wait—contact us today!

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