Upgrading your HVAC system can be a daunting task for homeowners, whether they are first time buyers or long time homeowners. Whether you are renovating a house you just moved into or are looking to replace your current system, a new HVAC system is a great upgrade. It not only improves your quality of life, but it can be a great investment to the value of your home. It is important to understand your motivations behind upgrading, and how efficiency is measured for these systems. 

Understanding the Efficiency of a New System

When you are looking for a new HVAC System, efficiency is at the core of the decisions. The main efficiency ratings to look at are SEER, AFUE, and HSPF. The SEER(Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) refers to the amount of cooling produced compared to the amount of energy needed to produce that cooling. AFUE and HSPF are the ratings used for heating systems. AFUE relates to the amount of fuel used for a furnace or boiler system, and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is used as a rating for heat pumps. Understanding these ratings will help you pick the right system for your home. 

Monetary Gains of Upgrading 

At first glance a new HVAC system is a big investment. It is important to understand the cost breakdown of how upgrading your system can save you money overtime. Say you upgrade your system to a system with a SEER rating of 18, you have the potential to save $1,000 a year on your energy cost. It is important to keep in mind that every home is different when looking at savings. Factors like size, how well insulated, and climate of your location. At the end of the day the name of the game is efficiency and you want to make sure your system is optimized for your situation. 

Value Added to Your Home 

There are a lot of different upgrades to make to your home to add value. The addition A new HVAC system that is two years older or less adds value to your home if you are thinking about selling. It has been found that homes with air conditioning sold for 2.5% more nationwide than homes that did not. 

Not only does it add monetary value, it can be a deciding factor for people when they are looking to buy. If you have two houses that are similar in price, size, and location, the addition of a new HVAC system can be the reason they go with your home instead of the comparable option. Anything to make the life of the buyer easier puts you ahead of the competition. 

Conclusion

There is a lot to consider when looking to upgrade or install a HVAC system into your home.  Understanding how a system is rated can help you narrow down your focus once you understand what would fit best for your situation. If you are either selling your house or trying to upgrade your quality of life a new system is a great investment for your future.