Some aspects of the home you’re about to buy you’re probably excited to change, such as the paint color of the walls, the carpet in the bedrooms and that mirror in the bathroom. Still, others areas you’d rather not have to deal with right after you move in, namely large, expensive systems that don’t add any pizazz, but rather do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. Case in point — your heating and cooling system. However, if the previous owners didn’t already have the most efficient systems in place, then you likely will be spending so much of your monthly income on keeping the system running, that you won’t have enough left over to pay for the paint or new carpet for the rest of your new home.
Here, Joe Gratta, an HVAC specialist with Atlantic Mechanical in Weymouth, Massachusetts, explains what to pay particular attention to so that the next time you visit a new home that you’re particularly interested in, you will be in the same mindset as an experienced HVAC contractor.
The Age Factor
The most important rule, he says, has to do with the age of the appliances. If the furnace or air conditioner is over 10 years old, then it needs to be replaced. A lot of homes are currently operating on older systems that probably only have an efficiency rating of around 65% which is making the appliance work harder while draining an unnecessary amount of energy. Now, it’s easy to find a furnace that optimizes its resources and works around or above 95% efficiency, which makes a remarkable difference.
But, if you’re looking to get the most for your money and lower your energy bills at the same time, then you may be better off contacting a HVAC specialist who can thoroughly assess the heating and cooling systems currently in place. If he concludes that your furnace is operating at a lower efficiency level than recommended, then your best option may be to purchase a new system. While you will be paying more initially, the new furnace will pay for itself over the course of the next few months because your electricity bill will be significantly lower than it would have been had you kept the original furnace that came with the home.
Now is the Time to Buy
Throughout the remainder of 2010, the government will offer you a tax rebate on new, energy-efficient appliances with an efficiency rating of 90% to 95%. If your new furnace falls within these guidelines, then you can easily score a 30% rebate of up to $1,300 when you file your 2010 taxes. Additionally, many states also have a Cash-For-Appliances program in effect which offer an additional cash-back rebate when you purchase products that the state deems environmentally friendly. So, not only will you be saving on your energy bills from month to month, but the government is willing to put even more money into your pocket.
With these tips from Gratta, it’s likely that besides the minor remodeling changes you’re planning, you may also be able to use your savings to spring for a pool for the backyard or walk-in closet for the master bedroom.
