Fall can be an excellent time to schedule HVAC replacement, especially if you have an older system that recently struggled to make it through the summer. The milder fall temperatures in our area may make it easier to prepare for a replacement before the upcoming period of extreme cold weather arrives. Taking advantage of the autumn season gives you some time to evaluate your options instead of dealing with an unexpected, stressful breakdown later.
You don’t need to replace a fully functioning system just because it’s fall, but this time of year is useful for homeowners who already have an aging, inefficient, unreliable, or underperforming HVAC system and need to upgrade. The experts at Huft Home Services explain why fall can be a great time of year to schedule an HVAC replacement.
You Can Replace Your HVAC System Before It Becomes an Emergency
It’s much easier to be proactive about your home comfort system versus facing a dire emergency HVAC system replacement. If your AC struggled during Sacramento’s hottest months, don’t assume it will make it through another summer. Planning for a fall HVAC replacement gives you time to make a more informed decision rather than feeling forced to choose a system quickly just because your AC stopped working during a heat wave.
Here are some signs that may indicate your HVAC system struggled during the previous cooling season:
- You needed to schedule frequent AC repairs.
- Despite the thermostat setting, your AC had trouble maintaining consistent temperatures.
- You experienced uneven temperatures in different rooms of your home.
- The HVAC system made unusual noises.
- You had increasing energy bills without a significant change in usage.
- Your air conditioner ran longer-than-usual cooling cycles.
- The system experienced breakdowns during periods of extreme heat.
Sacramento’s Milder Fall Weather Can Make Replacement Easier
Sacramento summers place significant demand on residential cooling equipment. Fall typically starts in late September when temperatures become more moderate, and many homeowners start to rely less on their AC. When temps in our region start dropping into the upper 70s, being without heating or cooling temporarily during a new HVAC system installation may be much less disruptive. It’s often easier to wait for your new system during periods of mild weather rather than in the midst of our scorching, triple-digit summer temperatures.
You Have More Time to Choose the Right HVAC System
When you replace an HVAC system in the fall, you have more time to make sure you choose the right one to meet your needs. Replacement shouldn’t be based on finding a new unit with the same capacity as your existing system alone. Proper sizing is vital, because an oversized or undersized system can negatively impact everything from comfort and efficiency to humidity control and equipment performance.
Schedule a professional HVAC replacement evaluation with Huft Home Services to help you select the best option. Our team considers the following factors before deciding whether a replacement is right for you:
- Your home’s size and layout
- How long installation takes (usually between four to eight hours)
- The best system size
- Your unique energy efficiency requirements
- Existing ductwork in your home
- Household comfort needs and concerns
- Your budget and general heating and cooling habits
- Indoor air quality needs
- Available system types
You Can Address Problems You Noticed During the Summer
Fall is also the best time of year to replace an HVAC system because you can evaluate how your AC actually performed during Sacramento’s peak cooling season. Think back to this past summer and consider whether your AC kept your house comfortable on the hottest days of the season. If it didn’t, the problem could be caused by the HVAC equipment, or it may be due to other things like airflow issues, your ductwork or insulation, incorrect system sizing, or another factor. We recommend scheduling a professional evaluation to determine whether an AC replacement is warranted.
You Can Prepare Your Home Before Next Summer’s Heat
Autumn is a great time for new HVAC installation, because it allows you to prepare before next summer’s extreme heat arrives. July is typically the hottest month in Sacramento, and extreme heatwaves can push temperatures into the triple digits. If you already know you likely need an air conditioner replacement, you can use fall to prepare before the hot summer temps hit. Entering the next cooling season with a properly sized, reliable system by planning in the fall is much easier and more comfortable than waiting to see whether or not your aging AC survives another summer.
You May Be Able to Improve Energy Efficiency
Newer HVAC systems may provide better energy efficiency than older equipment, particularly when replacing an outdated or poorly performing system. Keep in mind that actual energy use depends on the type of system you have, your home, existing ductwork, thermostat settings, insulation, usage habits, and other factors.
Potential efficiency benefits of an HVAC replacement can include:
- More efficient operation
- Improved temperature consistency
- Better, more consistent comfort
- Modern controls like smart thermostat compatibility
- Potentially lower heating and cooling energy use/costs
You Have Time to Explore HVAC Financing and Available Specials
If you know when to replace an HVAC system in advance, you have time to consider the financial aspects of the project and your budget. Being proactive allows you to explore various specials and discounts as well as any potential financing options available to you. Review offers that are currently available, so you know exactly how much you’ll save.
Should I Replace My HVAC System Before It Breaks?
Replacing your HVAC system before it fails may make sense if there are already clear signs it’s nearing the end of its useful lifespan. System age is important, but age alone should not be the only determining factor when considering a replacement. Your system’s overall condition, repair history, efficiency, comfort, and the cost of any necessary repairs should all factor into the decision.
Signs you may need a new HVAC system include:
- Increasing repair frequency
- Expensive repairs
- A noticeable decline in comfort
- System struggles during extreme temperatures
- Rising energy consumption
- Major component problems
- Uneven heating or cooling
Should I Repair or Replace My HVAC System?
Most HVAC systems last between 10 and 20 years, depending on factors like routine maintenance and the type of equipment you have. Consider the following when evaluating whether a repair or replacement is best.
When repairs may make sense
Here’s when scheduling repairs might be the better choice:
- The problem is relatively minor.
- The system has otherwise been reliable.
- The repair cost is reasonable.
- The equipment still performs efficiently and comfortably.
When replacement may be worth considering
Here’s when choosing a full replacement may be worth considering:
- Repairs start becoming frequent.
- A major repair is needed.
- The system struggles to maintain comfort.
- Energy efficiency has noticeably declined.
- The equipment is older and experiencing multiple issues.
Huft Home Services provides a Free Second Opinion on Diagnostics where appropriate. If you’ve been told you need an expensive repair or full replacement, call our team for a professional evaluation before making this major investment.
Should You Replace Your AC and Furnace at the Same Time?
Whether you replace your air conditioner and your furnace at the same time depends on your existing equipment. If both systems are aging and equipment compatibility is a concern, it might be better to replace both at once. It’s also a good idea to replace both if coordinating the replacement makes sense for your home and household budget, or if you want to upgrade the entire system and/or combine the two, such as replacing a furnace and air conditioner with a single heat pump. You don’t automatically need to replace both systems at once, and a professional evaluation can help you determine the appropriate approach.
What Should You Look for in a New HVAC System?
The quality of the installation and correct system sizing are just as important as the HVAC equipment. Look for the following when choosing a new HVAC system:
- Proper system sizing for your home
- Energy-efficiency ratings
- Equipment type (i.e., a heat pump or ductless mini-split)
- Heating and cooling performance
- Manufacturer warranty
- Installation quality and contractor experience
- Routine maintenance requirements
- Available financing
- Smart thermostat compatibility, when relevant
Schedule Your HVAC Replacement Before the Next Sacramento Heat Wave
Huft Home Services is a trusted Sacramento-area HVAC installation and replacement provider, serving homeowners since 2004. We provide professional HVAC replacement recommendations that include ensuring proper system sizing and using quality installation methods. Flexible financing options and HVAC specials are available, and customers receive a free Second Opinion on Diagnostics when applicable.
If you’ve experienced HVAC problems this summer and want to schedule an evaluation during the fall instead of waiting for another period of extreme heat, contact us today!
