A Quick Home Renovation Guide to Implementing HVAC Upgrades

Three grey air conditioning condensers sit outside a series of homes on a slim stretch of grass by a paved road.

When renovating your home, don’t forget to make the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system part of the equation. Upgrading your HVAC with the rest of the renovations will enhance your home’s comfort levels, reduce energy costs, and improve air quality. And there’s no better time to make the changes required for HVAC systems than when your house is already in transition! Here’s a quick home renovation guide to implementing HVAC upgrades.

Assess the Current System

What’s the current state of your HVAC system? It may well be that it’s in perfect shape and will continue to offer years of service in your newly renovated home. Even so, it’s worth looking at. Hire a technician to conduct an energy audit and identify inefficiencies and issues. During the audit, the tech will note the following:

  • The system’s age indicates its condition. Older systems are usually less efficient and may need to be replaced.
  • High energy bills, which signal an inefficient system.
  • Poor indoor air quality demonstrates your system is not effectively filtering pollutants. A new filtration system is never a bad idea.

What’s the Right Upgrade?

Once you have a clear understanding of your system’s condition, it’s time to decide on replacing it or making upgrades. Here are a few suggestions:

Replace It?

An HVAC system that’s over 10–15 years old might be on its way out. Even the best unit back in the day pales beside modern, energy-efficient units.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Do you still have an old-fashioned analog thermostat or a newer one that’s a few ticks behind current technology? Install a programmable thermostat so you can set heating and cooling preferences according to your schedule. Save money by reducing usage when you’re not home!

Upgrade to Zoned Heating and Cooling

Are you in the zone? More seriously, would a zoned HVAC system be better for your home? Zoned systems let you independently control the temperature in different areas. This customization enhances overall comfort and reduces your monthly bills.

Upgrade Insulation and Ductwork

You might be losing a lot of heat and cool air between you and your furnace or AC unit. A well-insulated home retains heat and cool air and keeps out the heat or cold in the worst months. Sealed ductwork is another necessity, since leaky ducts may account for up to 30 percent of energy loss.

Improve the Air Quality

Good indoor air quality is an essential aspect of a healthy home, especially if one or more of the residents suffer from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Add an air purifier to the system. Dehumidifiers and advanced HEPA filtration systems are also gangbusters at clearing the air.

Keep to a Maintenance Schedule

Have you decided to upgrade and/or install a new HVAC system? Excellent news! Now, you have to follow a regular maintenance schedule. Set up regular checkups with a certified HVAC technician to keep everything running smoothly. They’ll check for leaks and damage and inspect and clean the ductwork. Generally, watch for potential issues that need repairs before they become bigger problems. Ask the technician how often you should change or clean the air filters—every one to three months is a good schedule.

That’s a quick home renovation guide to implementing HVAC upgrades. Contact us for a consultation. We offer ducted split systems and more!

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