When it comes to home maintenance and protecting the value of your home, your HVAC system should be one of the first things you consider. An HVAC system is the most expensive and essential appliance in your home. Their efficiency is not only a significant factor in your home’s monthly energy bill, but it can drastically affect the value of your home.
Whether you’re putting your home on the market, getting your house refinanced, or merely maintaining your home, having a modern and well-working HVAC system is in your best interest. There is no more significant return on investment than putting the proper time and money into your HVAC system.
Why You Should Consider Investing in Your HVAC System
When it comes to home repairs and upgrades, most people think about kitchen cabinets, window treatments, or if they have the yard to fit an in-ground pool. These features add home value, but none have the return on investment like investing in your HVAC system.
An HVAC system is vital to the essential function of any home. It helps regulate the interior comfort level, which is becoming increasingly important with the wild swings in temperature due to climate change. In addition, the HVAC system contributes to the home’s overall price because it is an essential appliance and, depending on its efficiency, can significantly impact the home’s expected energy bills.
If you’re looking to sell your home close to or above its fair market value, it is necessary to have a functioning HVAC system. Many home buyers won’t even look at houses without a proper HVAC system.
What to Consider in an HVAC System
With HVAC systems being one of the easiest and most crucial ways of improving your home’s value, you should know what to look for in an HVAC system.
An efficient HVAC system can reduce the monthly electricity bills by up to 20%, which is beneficial for you and a great selling point when putting your home on the market. Having an efficient and properly functioning system becomes even more important for homes in harsh climates. A sound HVAC system is a top priority for homebuyers in states like Arizona, with summer temperatures well in the triple digits, or places like Montana, where the winters are bitterly cold.
Because of their importance, many homebuyers become armchair experts in HVAC systems. Therefore, any weak spots or troubles in your HVAC system can instantly deter a potential buyer. On the other hand, studies have shown that having a properly functioning HVAC system can improve the home value from 5% to 8%. Therefore, maintaining your HVAC system should be of the utmost importance with such a significant increase in home price.
Many homeowners make one mistake in buying the wrong HVAC system for their homes. Unlike kitchen upgrades or a new pool, HVAC systems should not be purchased for aesthetic qualities. While some HVAC systems will undoubtedly look nicer or match your home décor, this should be the least essential factor if you’re buying a new system.
Rather than aesthetics, focus on the efficiency and functionalities of the HVAC system. Depending on the size of your home and property location, the HVAC system you require can differ. If you’re unsure about your home requirements and what system is the best to protect the value of your home, you should reach out to an HVAC specialist. They will be able to assess all the factors of your home and budget and determine the best system to purchase.
Should You Upgrade or Repair Your HVAC System?
Deciding whether you should upgrade or repair your existing HVAC system will depend on the current state of your system and what your goals are.
Repairing Your HVAC System
If your HVAC system is running at or above 80% efficiency, you likely don’t need to replace your HVAC system. However, doing some annual maintenance and repair work should be enough to protect the value of your home and keep your energy bills at a reasonable level.
HVAC systems can be tricky to work on and doing it yourself can risk you breaking the system and needing to buy a new one. The simplest way to do this is to call your local HVAC specialist. In addition, with regular use, HVAC systems tend to collect dirt and dust, ultimately reducing the system’s efficiency. To ensure the entire system is running smoothly, an HVAC specialist can thoroughly clean the air ducts and filters while checking if any other maintenance is needed.
Upgrading Your HVAC System
If your HVAC system is running at less than 80% efficiency or is over 15 years old, it is probably time to consider replacing your system. This is especially true if you are looking to sell your home and not have your HVAC system negatively affect the price.
If you’re thinking about replacing your HVAC system, your best bet is to have your suspicions confirmed by an HVAC specialist. They can break down which modern unit will be the best for your home if a new system is necessary.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to home maintenance and repairs, few things are as important as your HVAC system. Your HVAC system not only impacts your monthly electricity bill, but it can significantly impact the overall value of your home, up to 8%. However, improving your HVAC system does not have to be expensive either. While older systems will likely need to be replaced, most HVAC systems require regular maintenance, saving up to 20% on your energy bills!
If you’re looking to refinance, sell, or protect the value of your home, then you should consider having an HVAC specialist assess the quality of your system. The housing market has never been more competitive, and making sure your home is priced at the highest value is more important than ever.
Good Deals Heating and Cooling
Do you need help purchasing or maintaining an HVAC system for your home? Good Deals Heating and Cooling can help. Our team of experts can recommend the best system for your home and budget. We can also do routine and emergency maintenance for any system. Contact us at 215-947-1166 for all your HVAC needs.
