How to Know if You Should Replace or Repair a Commercial Heating System
Four factors you should weigh when considering whether to replace or repair a commercial heating system are:
- Age of Your System
- Size and Scope of the Problem
- The System’s Maintenance History
- Potential Energy Savings
When it comes to HVAC problems, the stakes are higher in commercial heating and cooling than with a residential system.
As a property manager, you’re thinking about budget, expenses, and, of course, tenants and the businesses that can be impacted by a day or two — or worse — without heat.
Even still, weighing the pros and cons of paying for yet another repair on an older commercial heating system or just replacing it can be difficult.
A new system is a huge investment and one you may not be ready to make. On the other hand, a looming catastrophic breakdown can cost you even more money and headaches.
Of course, it helps to have a good relationship with a local trusted HVAC company. In South Jersey, commercial and property managers in Cherry Hill, Sicklerville, and other towns have turned to Bovio for decades to help keep their systems running — and to replace them when the time is right.
If you’re unsure if it’s time to invest in a new furnace, or whether it’s worth it to get some more service out of your current unit, you can always give us a call.
But, if you’re not quite ready to do that, keep reading to find out more about how you can start making an informed decision on your next move.
Age Of Your System
Perhaps the biggest consideration of whether it’s worth repairing your commercial heating system or not is its age.
With proper care and maintenance, a system can last you for 20 years or more. But it won’t work forever.
As it ages, you can expect it to break down more often. The longer it’s been in service, the more worn-down it gets. So, if this is just one in a long line of repair calls you’ve made recently, maybe it’s time to get a new system rather than string this one along much longer.
Of course, the answer isn’t always as simple as that. Some factors may sway you to keep it a little while longer. And, others that would prompt you to replace it.
Size and Scope of the Problem
First off, what’s the actual problem? If it’s something minor and not too expensive, you can consider getting at least one more season out of your heater.
On the other hand, if you’re looking at a more significant repair on an older system, you may be better off going with a new one.
Also, consider the time of year: Can you afford to take it offline for a day or so to make a switch? If it’s the middle of winter, you may have to go with a repair to keep it going for a few more weeks.
How the System Has Been Maintained
Preventative maintenance is an essential part of keeping your commercial heating and cooling system working smoothly for years. It’s surprising, then, how many property managers don’t bother with it.
By one count, more than half of companies managing HVAC systems invest in regular upkeep. And, any money they “saved” by not making this investment over the years is easily wiped out by one or two bad breakdowns.
And, as you’re deciding whether or not your system can last through another repair or season, it’s time to consider how well it’s been kept up over the years.
If you’ve had regular maintenance, including annual tune-ups, your system is more likely to keep running well past the 15-year mark and even more than two decades.
And, it makes it more likely that it will continue to work well even after getting it fixed.
However, there’s much less of a guarantee if the only time an HVAC tech has seen your system was when something was wrong.
It’s likely even more parts are worn down and ready to break if you haven’t maintained the system over the years. So, even if a tech fixed the problem at hand, there’s likely something else that’s compromised.
Energy Savings With a Replacement
Finally, there are the savings you can gain by replacing a system before it’s broken down for good. This comes in the form of lower energy bills with a new heater.
Another inevitably with HVAC equipment is that it will use more and more energy to do the same job as it used to. If you check your year-over-year energy bills, you’re sure to see an increase, even if you’ve kept it well-maintained.
And, even an old system in great shape can’t keep up with the latest-and-greatest. As technology improves, efficiency keeps getting better and better.
That means a heater 15 years old or older will be less efficient than the latest model, even if it’s somehow still operating at peak capacity.
Benefits of Regular Maintenance
If you’re now leaning toward getting a new commercial heater, then you should also consider signing up for regular preventative maintenance. If you didn’t do it for your last system, you’ll definitely notice a difference.
With annual tune-ups, you’ll keep the system optimized to work more efficiently with fewer breakdowns over the years. You can find out more about what that entails by clicking here.
The other advantage is building a relationship with a trusted HVAC company. When you have a tech regularly out looking over your equipment, you’ll get good advice and plenty of notice if they see any warning signs of a big problem.
And, if there’s a breakdown, that’s less time you have to spend finding an HVAC company and then making sure you aren’t getting ripped off by someone you don’t know that well.
Here in South Jersey, Bovio has been a trusted go-to for residential and commercial HVAC systems for 60 years. Give us a call or email today and find out how we can help you keep your commercial property warm and comfortable with fewer expenses and fewer headaches.
The post Should You Replace Vs. Repair a Commercial Heating System? appeared first on Bovio Rubino Service - BRS.