Unfortunately, times today are relatively tough. The cost of living keeps going up and a big part of that is rising energy costs. Whether your home is powered by electricity, gas or some combination of the two, it is starting to cost more and more to keep your home comfortable.

Heating and cooling can be a huge expense and this is especially true is you’re using an older heating and air conditioning system. In many homes, the cost of heating and cooling can account for at least half of a typical energy budget. This can get very expensive over time. However, changing your heating or cooling system may help.

HVACs, heaters and air conditioners have changed a great deal over the last few years and new models are much more energy efficient that previous versions.

Newer, Energy Star rated products and other high efficiency heaters and air conditioners can save you 30% on your monthly energy costs.

So should you replace your heating and air conditioning system?

That depends on the age of the system, the type and how well it is functioning. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it may not be as energy efficient as newer models. This means you will likely be wasting energy, costing yourself money and hurting the environment every time you turn on your heater or air conditioner. It may make sense for you to change your heating and cooling system at this point.

If you have an HVAC system that is more than 15 years old, it is almost certainly time to look into a replacement. Systems of this age or older do not operate on modern technology and they will almost certainly be wasting energy.

Older home heating and cooling systems need to use more energy to provide the same heating and cooling benefits. This means that you may be paying more money for energy that doesn’t benefit you. Not only does this hurt your wallet, but it also hurts the planet.

If you have an older heater or air conditioner, you may want to contact your HVAC supplier for information on how a newer model will be more efficient. At HAMCO, we offer a free on-site estimate and no obligation quote to anyone looking for a new heating and cooling system.

If you don’t wish to replace your entire system, you may be interested in a programmable thermostat. This makes it easier to set the exact temperature for your home and you can program the thermostat to reduce the heating and cooling of your home when it’s not needed as much, such as when you are at work or during the night.

You may also wish to have your heating and cooling system examined by a professional. This will help you realize if your system is working properly and give you the chance to repair any problems that could be causing your HVAC system to waste energy.

Replacing or repairing your heating and cooling system will go a long way to saving you money.