3403 NC-54
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
The principle behind heating and air conditioning is based on heat will always disperse from a hotter or warmer area towards cold areas. This basic principle works via a system of heaters and coolers, with the former burning fuels to generate heat while the latter uses electricity.
To regulate the temperature in your home, your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system needs an automatic, heat-sensitive switch called the thermostat.
In cold weather, the thermostat turns on the heating unit to add heat energy into the air to make it warmer. In hot conditions, it turns on the air conditioners via electricity to remove heat thus lowering temperatures and making homes cooler and comfortable.
The HVAC space offers plenty of choices for anyone looking to heat their homes or houses.
Several brands are available from which one can access various heating systems, but it’s highly recommended that you choose ENERGY STAR certified equipment.
Importantly also, you need to involve qualified professionals when thinking of installing a heating unit, mainly because that helps you choose the best heating system for your home.
Heating systems installation might be a little hard on your pocket, but the benefits of warmth during those cold months for years can go a long way to offsetting that cost.
You have the option of looking at different types of HVAC/service/hvac when considering a heating system for your home.
If you are wondering which heating system is best for you, then ask an HVAC professional near you for help. At Stone Services Inc. we recommend American Standard. Specifically, you can install furnace heating, boilers, mini-split heat pumps, Window AC with heat, and direct heating.
Note that it can be cheaper to heat your home with electric heating than with gas. Calculate the cost of electricity versus that of gas to get to this conclusion. Remember also that a mini-split cannot provide heat to a whole house.
How much does it cost to install a heating system?
Installation costs for each of the heating systems vary and can be affordable or expensive depending on various factors that you can check out below.
The cost of installing a heating system will depend on factors such as the type of system, size of the house, the ductwork needed (for central heating), labor, and season.
The cost of installing a central heating system averages $5,000-$10,000 with the exact cost depending on the above variables. For instance, heating and plumbing experts charge on average $50-$100 per hour. You may also need an electrician, which adds on average $200 per hour onto that cost.
To install a new HVAC system, complete with ductwork costs and labor might set you back between $8,800 and $14,000. Why is HVAC installation this expensive? The simple answer to that relates to rising costs associated with electrical, heating, plumbing, and thermodynamics, among other aspects that go into the installation process.
If you need estimates, look for “HVAC companies near me” to work out such things as labor costs.
Repairs can involve fixing leaky valves, loose filters, wires, and even broken thermostats.
If the cost of repair equals or surpasses that of a new system, then it’s advisable to talk to a contractor about replacement. A good AC repair service will inspect the system and advise on what can be repaired or what needs a total overhaul.
What else should alert you that repair is needed?
There is a reduced heat level or circulation that might indicate clogging, broken ducts or that the fan isn’t working. If you suspect or smell some burning, then it’s also time to check the filter or undertake general repairs.
Generally, it is recommended that the heating system be checked at least once a year. If you don’t do it, the result could mean more costs in the furnace replacement and similar components of the system.
Maintenance checks on heating systems are supposed to be periodic with individual and professional HVAC input, both important steps. Do not wait for the scheduled maintenance date as that might already affect you if the heating system fails.
Checks include leaking ducts, breaks in the wiring and blockages in vents. General cleaning of the unit setup will prevent debris from collecting on pipes and into registers.
We cannot overemphasize enough that regular maintenance of your heating system whether you have installed gas, oil or electric heaters is critical to the efficiency of your system and can extend its life span.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC systems waste nearly 40% of their energy due to poor maintenance. The department advises that proper insulation, air sealing and correct placement of ducts help to reduce energy losses.
So, while maintenance adds to the original installation costs, preventing energy loss can help you save a lot in bills.
Ask any HVAC professional about heating systems and they are likely to tell you one thing: if you have a system that has been operating for over 15, it’s time to think about replacing it with a new one. The reason is that most HVAC systems work well for 15-20 years and even if one still works past this period, inefficiency is likely to force you to consider getting a replacement.
Furnace replacement is important to maintaining central heating output as furnaces last about 15-20 years. How well the heating system works will not only depend on repair and maintenance, but also on realizing when you need to replace it.
Summary of what should tell you it’s time to replace the furnace:
On average, the cost of replacing a furnace with a new one ranges from around $2,000 to $5,900. On average, it costs about $3,000. AC repair professionals can help you check on ductwork before you install the new furnace.
Air conditioning, abbreviated as AC or A/C and referred to as ‘air con’, involves a cooling system that allows for the removal of heat from a room. The system essentially works by sucking heat or warm air and replacing it with cold air to regulate the temperature.
One of the first things to ask before installing an air conditioner relates to what type of AC system would be best for you or your home.
In this regard, you should know that your options are narrowed to three main types of air conditioning systems:
Another consideration to make about air conditioners that impact installation costs is the specific unit’s efficiency rating. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating levels vary and apart from initial costs, they can also impact overall costs related to energy savings. The higher the SEER rating is, the higher the system’s efficiency, and thus savings in energy costs.
Incidentally, some real estate dealers say that homes with air con can have a higher resale value.
A Manual J Load Calculation allows you to determine the capacity of the air conditioner. A professional AC service provider can calculate this for you by looking at your home’s square footage to determine heating needs in terms of British Thermal Units (BTU).
Installation of a central air conditioning unit only can take anywhere from 1-3 days, with costs ranging from $1,200 to $6,000.
The average cost homeowners incur when installing air conditioning without ductwork is $4,000, although the costs can go as high as $12,000 depending on the AC unit, size of the house, and additional costs for labor.
A new HVAC system costs between $25 and $60 per square foot for a central air con system and a furnace. A 1,000 sq. ft home usually needs a 1.5-2 TON air conditioner, with 18,000-21,000 BTUs and will cost about $3,000-$6,000 to install.
In the UK it costs about £1,000 for a single room packaged unit and between £4,000 and £8,000 for a central air unit or multi-split unit. The cost of buying the cheapest air con unit is £500-£1000, while pricey models can be as high as £6000. Add this to other installation costs and the overall budget can exceed £10,000.
How about electricity costs?
Air Conditioners use electricity and how much you pay on energy bills depends on the region, how long the AC unit runs, and the size of the home. On average, AC can account for about 20% of your electricity bills, with the cost going as high as 60-70% if the consumption is too high during hot summer months.
One way to look at this is to find out how much it costs to run AC for 1 hour. On average, an air conditioner will cost you around $0.08 per hour for a 2kW unit, with variation depending on BTU and tonnage.
AC units need regular checks for optimum functionality and may require that you find a good AC repair company to carry out certain repairs. Most people would feel comfortable doing simple “AC companies near me” search on Google if by chance the air conditioner fails abruptly.
However, it’s recommended to use a professional company that will not only offer a warranty for the repairs but also adhere to EPA regulations or Energy Star recommendations. Stone Services Inc. is a local company that offers 24 hours service.
Air Conditioner maintenance needs to be regular, with the best way to go about is to have a checklist of the areas that must be inspected to ensure maximum performance of the air conditioner.
While it’s easier to schedule an annual or similar maintenance visit by an AC repair contractor near you, a few tips can help you handle some of the needed checks. These include regular cleaning or changing air filters, coils, removing debris, and ensuring coil fins do not fold with time.
AC maintenance also calls for checks on thermostats as well as refrigerant leaks that are usually responsible for reduced efficiency. Caring for the Air Conditioner units also involves replacing parts over time.
If AC repair isn’t what you need, probably because all the past repairs have failed to make a difference, think of having a replacement.
Your AC repair service will advise on how much it costs to replace the air conditioner, which might have to do with the size of your home and the AC brand. Also, look at what warranty you have as most HVAC systems last 15-20 years.
Some of the best brands in the market are American Standard, Carrier, Goodman, and Trane. As for which is the best between Carrier and Goodman, the former is probably better. However, it’s a little pricey, meaning consider your budget before settling on it. We recommend American Standard to all our clients.
It costs between $4,000 and $9,500 to replace a central air conditioner and the furnace. On average, it costs $5000 to just replace an AC unit for a home as large as 2,000 square feet.
Just removing the old AC unit may cost you $50-$200 depending on the company.
If you have any questions concerning heating and air conditioning or you need service now, call Stone Services at 919-933-1423. We are happy to help in any way.
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