How Long Will a New HVAC System Take to Pay for Itself in Energy Savings?

Of course, this is just an example and your numbers will be different. Don't forget that, in this example, you will recoup your investment in less than four years and that your HVAC system will serve you well for another twenty years or more. Why do we recommend a heat pump instead of an air conditioner? A heat pump can both heat and cool a house, compared to an air conditioner that only provides cooling. In other words, it's a replacement for both your air conditioner and your furnace or boiler.

That means when you install a heat pump, you get two main appliances for the price of one. According to a recent RMI study, it's cheaper to install a heat pump than an oven plus air conditioner. Heat pumps work efficiently in almost all climates, even cold ones. However, for colder areas of the country, a heat pump can be used in a dual or hybrid fuel configuration to reduce energy bills.

With a smart thermostat, your home can switch from a heat pump to a gas oil, propane or gas furnace, depending on the temperature. Many heat pumps come with variable or dual speed motors. This can make the heating and cooling process more gradual and energy efficient than a traditional system. Not only do they have on and off modes, so they don't blow out air or make noise around the house when they are “turned on”.

How does an air conditioner lower the temperature and humidity in your home when it's outside for a long time? Heat pumps do it too. The biggest difference is that a heat pump can also save on heating and utility bills. Replacing a traditional fuel furnace with a high-efficiency heat pump is the easiest way to make a big difference, personally, in our fight against climate change. The most notable disadvantage of heat pumps is that their initial installation costs a few thousand dollars more than traditional air conditioners.

That's what you'd expect from an advanced technology that does twice as much work. The DSIRE Incentive and Reimbursement Database is a good starting point to find out about any available incentives or rebates for installing an energy-efficient HVAC system. Get weekly tips on how to save energy and money with tankless water heater buyer's guides, LED temperature and color buyer's guides, and more. Tell your customers about your duct sealing service and tell them that the money they spend on this service will more than pay for itself with lower energy bills.

Often, these routine HVAC services detect small problems that, if left unresolved, could result in costly repairs. Postponing regular maintenance of HVAC systems can help save on that initial cost, but it can be more expensive in the future when the systems need major repairs or the unit stops working as efficiently as possible. The usual cost of routine air conditioning maintenance is nominal, considering the savings it can bring both on the utility bill and on future repairs. Most heating and cooling technicians have found themselves in a situation where they try to convince a homeowner to properly seal the ducts, discuss the possibility of upgrading a thermostat, or completing any other combination of HVAC system services to help improve the overall operation of their unit, but have made customers hesitant to assume those HVAC service expenses. As an HVAC professional, you know how your regular HVAC service can help extend the life of a unit and reduce a customer's energy bills, but selling routine HVAC maintenance services to customers can be difficult.

Investing in an energy-efficient HVAC system is one of the best ways to save money over time by reducing energy costs. When considering whether or not to invest in an energy-efficient HVAC system for your home or business, it's important to consider how long it will take for the system to pay for itself in energy savings. The answer depends on several factors such as the size of your home or business space, how efficient your current system is compared to the new one you are considering installing, and how much you use your current system. For example, if you are replacing an older model furnace with an energy-efficient heat pump that has an efficiency rating of 16 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), you could expect to save up to 40% on your monthly energy bills. This means that if you currently spend $200 per month on heating and cooling costs with your old furnace, you could expect to save up to $80 per month with your new heat pump. Using this example, if you paid $4,000 for installation of your new heat pump system (including labor costs), you would recoup your investment in less than four years through energy savings alone! And don't forget that after those four years have passed, you will continue to enjoy lower monthly energy bills for many years after that. So if you're looking for ways to reduce your monthly energy bills while also helping reduce our collective carbon footprint by investing in an energy-efficient HVAC system - look no further! Investing in an energy-efficient HVAC system is one of the best ways to save money over time by reducing energy costs.

Suzanne Wordell
Suzanne Wordell

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