Replacing your AC system is a major decision that affects not only your comfort but also your budget. If you live in North Texas, specifically in areas like Carrollton, Frisco, or Plano, it’s crucial to understand the unique factors that impact your HVAC system’s performance and the best time to replace it. This guide will walk you through the best timing for an HVAC replacement, how to evaluate whether it’s time for a new system, and why there can be such a wide range of costs when getting a quote for replacement. With insights into both complete and partial system replacements, you’ll have the knowledge you need to make the best choice for your home.
My name is Luke Barbosa, and I've proudly served the DFW market as an HVAC professional for nearly 25 years. My mission as an HVAC contractor is to empower homeowners with knowledge that helps them make informed decisions about their heating and cooling systems. Whether it's understanding the importance of regular maintenance, knowing when a repair is necessary, or navigating the complexities of a full system installation, I believe homeowners should feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Let’s face it—HVAC systems can be complex, and few people fully understand how they work. Nothing feels worse than spending thousands of dollars on something you don’t fully grasp. Too often, replacing an HVAC system is treated like a last-minute "Hail Mary" in football, where homeowners wait until the system fails, then scramble to hire the first contractor they can afford or the one who promises the fastest installation.
My advice? Take your time when replacing your HVAC system. Don't rush into a decision. Gather multiple quotes and find a contractor you genuinely trust—someone who is experienced, knowledgeable, and committed to designing a system tailored to your home’s needs. The person guiding your decision should have strong credentials and ideally, at least a decade of experience in the industry. Once you find the right professional, here are a few key things to consider before moving forward....
When Is the Best Time to Replace Your HVAC System? Optimal Timing is October to March
One of the most frequently asked questions from homeowners in North Texas is, “When should I replace my HVAC system?” The truth is, the timing can significantly affect not only your budget but also the quality of the installation.
The best time to replace your HVAC system in Carrollton and surrounding areas is typically between October and March. Why? North Texas summers are brutally hot, and many HVAC systems are located in attics, where temperatures can soar to unbearable levels during the summer months. Replacing an HVAC system when attic temperatures are cooler makes the process easier and safer for the installers. It also means they are likely to be more focused and less rushed.
When the demand for emergency replacements slows down, installers are not hopping from job to job, which allows them to dedicate more time and attention to your installation. This slower season often results in higher-quality work, as your installation may be the technician’s only job for the day, allowing them to take their time and ensure everything is perfect. At Heat and Air Gurus we only allow our installers to do one complete system per day-- even in the summer months we demand is high.
Many HVAC companies offer seasonal discounts during these cooler months, making it a financially advantageous time to replace your system. This is particularly important for homeowners in Carrollton, Plano, and Frisco, where extreme summer temperatures make HVAC systems a necessity. Heat and Air Gurus is currently offering $3000 off any complete system for homeowners with children in the CFBISD, PISD, or FISD now thru October 31, 2024.
When Should You Consider Replacement Over Repair?
There’s a common rule of thumb that can help you decide when it’s time to replace your HVAC system rather than continue with costly repairs. Multiply the repair cost by the age of your unit. If the result exceeds the cost of a new system, it’s time to consider a replacement.
For example, if you’re looking at a $1,000 repair for a system that’s 11 years old, you’re effectively facing $11,000 in repair costs over the life of the system. If the cost of a new HVAC unit is below that, replacing the system is the smarter financial move. HVAC systems manufactured in the last 20-25 years typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, so if your system is within or beyond that range and you’re constantly repairing it, a replacement will ultimately save you money in the long term.
I almost never sell equipment on ROI! With cost of equipment these days the ROI on energy savings is rarely something to consider except in very extreme circumstances.
Factors that Influence AC Replacement Cost:
Energy efficiency: Newer systems are often more energy-efficient, which can lead to lower utility bills.
Guru Tip: Think of SEER like miles per gallon and Tonnage like 4 cylinder, V6, or V8. SEER has to do with efficiency and Tonnage has to do with the size of engine, or compressor in this case.
Indoor air quality: Older systems may contribute to poor air quality, whereas newer systems can come packaged with duct replacement/ duct sealing/ duct modification, better filtration and purification options.
Refrigerant phaseout: If your system still uses R-22 refrigerant, which has been phased out, it’s another sign that replacement is necessary. In 2025, R410a will begin phasing out. Moving to A2L refrigerants.
Frequent repairs: If you’re constantly calling for repairs, it’s time to evaluate whether the system is worth maintaining.
What Is an HVAC Replacement?
When it comes to HVAC replacement, one of the most common sources of confusion and frustration for homeowners is the variance in cost between quotes. Even as a long-time industry professional, I still do not understand how some companies or individuals price their jobs. On one side of the spectrum, we have the one-man operation who adds $500 to the cost of the equipment and thinks this is enough to sustain his business and on the other side of the spectrum we have a national franchise that does a 3x mark up on the equipment and has entire fleet of highly commissioned salespeople who know absolutely nothing about HVAC. Because of this we have pricing scattered all over the map with a variance in quality that has no regard to the cost to the consumer…So Good luck out there!
What I can help you with is understanding the difference between a complete system replacement and a partial system replacement. This can hopefully help demystify a portion of the cryptic HVAC pricing out there and help ensure that you are making an informed decision.
Complete System Replacement vs. Partial System Replacement
In Carrollton, Frisco, and Plano, most homes use gas HVAC systems, which consist of three main components:
Furnace: Provides heating during colder months, but also has the indoor fan inside it which blows out the AC in the summer too.
Evaporator Coil: The indoor unit that helps cool the air in your home.
Condensing Unit: The outdoor unit that releases or moves heat from inside the home.
When you’re getting quotes for a complete system replacement, it means the HVAC contractor will replace all three components: the furnace, evaporator coil, and condensing unit. A matched system ensures that all parts of the HVAC system work together efficiently, offering optimal performance, energy savings, and comfort. So, if two companies are offering the exact same equipment, that should be an apples-to-apples comparison, right? Unfortunately, the answer is NO.
Some questions to best guide you when comparing HVAC quotes are as follows:
Are they replacing plenums, drain pan, pad, whip, electrical disconnect?
Are they adding drain safety or surge protection?
Are they adding, replacing or modifying any ductwork?
Are they including Air Purifiers, Humidifiers, or UV lights?
Are they pulling a permit?
Are they using subcontractors or in-house installers?
Are they a big company with lots of overhead or small company with little overhead?
Guru Tip: Trust your instincts! If you have a good feeling about the HVAC contractor, odds are they will do a good job for you if they have Air Conditioning Contractors license and several years of experience. At Heat and Air Gurus we protect your North Texas home with drop clothes. We do the extras that might not be foreseen at the time of the free Hvac estimate. For example, on this job pictured in this blog the wooden platform inside needed to be reinforced. The opening in the wooden platform was too small and restricting airflow, so we cut it to match the opening of the new furnace. There was no way to know this until after removing the old AC equipment. At Heat and Air Gurus we rarely charge more for quality enhancing tasks like this. We want this stuff to work optimally and build a lasting relationship with our clients!
Why Is There Such a Large Price Range in the Air Conditioning Industry? Here are Some Reasons…
One of the reasons for significant variance in quotes comes down to whether the contractor is quoting for a complete replacement or a partial replacement. In many cases, a contractor might recommend replacing only one or two components, such as the furnace and evaporator coil, but leaving the existing condensing unit in place. This is a partial system replacement, and while it might save you money in the short term, it comes with trade-offs.
In a recent install we performed in Carrollton, we replaced just the evaporator coil and furnace, leaving the condensing unit. While this was more cost-effective for the homeowner, they lost out on the advantages of a matched system. It made perfect sense financially though because this was a rent house, and the outdoor unit was only six years old.
Benefits of a Matched HVAC System:
Unified Warranty: When all components are replaced at the same time, the entire system will have the same warranty start date. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you won’t have one part of your system under warranty while another has expired.
AHRI Rating: A matched system receives an AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) certification number, which indicates the system’s exact efficiency rating. This ensures that the system is working at its optimal efficiency.
Improved Performance: A matched system is designed to work together seamlessly, providing the best heating and cooling performance possible. This results in fewer temperature fluctuations, better humidity control, and a quieter system overall.
Energy Savings: Replacing all three components ensures that the system is as energy-efficient as possible. A mismatched system, on the other hand, could lead to inefficiencies that drive up energy costs or even shorten the life.
Partial Replacement Considerations
In some cases, a partial replacement may be appropriate, especially if one component is still in good condition. However, this can lead to several challenges:
Mismatched performance: The older component may not perform as efficiently as the new parts, causing strain on the system. Do you think the engineers at Trane or Lennox test their equipment when matched up with a Carrier indoor unit? Probably not.
Shorter warranty coverage: The older part will not have the same warranty coverage as the newly installed components.
Future costs: You may need to replace the remaining component sooner than expected, leading to additional costs down the road. If everything is replaced in one stop opposed to two or three trips out to a home the labor is usually significantly discounted by most HVAC companies.
In areas like Carrollton, where summers can be scorching, having a matched system that operates at peak efficiency is crucial for both comfort and cost savings. Homeowners should carefully weigh the short-term savings of a partial replacement against the long-term benefits of a complete system upgrade.
Replacing your HVAC system is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of timing, cost, and efficiency. For homeowners in Carrollton, Frisco, and Plano, the best time to replace your system is during the cooler months, between October and March, when attic temperatures are lower, and installers can take their time to ensure a high-quality job. Whether you're evaluating whether to repair or replace your system, remember the rule of multiplying the repair cost by the unit’s age, and consider a full system replacement for optimal performance and energy savings.
When it comes to system replacement, understanding the difference between a complete replacement and a partial replacement is key. While a partial replacement may save you money initially, a matched system provides the best comfort, efficiency, and warranty coverage. Also be sure to clarify what other components are being replaced using “the questions to best guide you when comparing HVAC quotes.”
At Heat and Air Gurus, we specialize in providing North Texas homeowners with high-quality, high-value, HVAC installations and replacements. If you’re considering upgrading your system, we offer a free HVAC estimate in Carrollton and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and ensure your home stays comfortable year-round with the best HVAC solution for your needs—not ours. Call 469-797-1269 and mention this blog to receive a FREE UV System with purchase.
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