Quality Repair vs. Replace in Tulsa?

Quality Heating & Cooling services in Tulsa

At Air Assurance, we undestand it's one of the most difficult decisions a homeowner will have to make — whether to have a quality repair on an old HVAC system or bite the bullet and replace it. But how do you decide the quality repair vs. replace dilemma, in the Tulsa Oklahoma market? Ask the following questions to determine whether to repair that old A/C or furnace one more time, or replace it entirely.

How old is your system?

Experts tend to agree that a combustion furnace reaches the end of its service life between 15–20 years, while an A/C or heat pump is closer to 10–15.

Are other factors affecting the longevity of your HVAC system?

Where you live and its climate will have a big effect on how many years you get out of a furnace or A/C. A furnace, for instance, will last longer in a Southern climate, while an A/C will last longer in a Northern climate where it's not running 24/7). Professional maintenance is another important factor. A well-maintained HVAC system can be expected to last longer than one that has been neglected. A system with proper air filter maintenance also will last longer.

Is your older system breaking down a lot?

This is usually a good sign that an "experienced" HVAC system is nearing the end of its service life. At a certain point, you'll have to decide whether it's time to quit throwing good money after bad, and go ahead and invest in a new high-efficiency furnace, A/C, or heat pump.

Are you energy bills going up?

If your utility bills are rising and there's no obvious reason, such as a more severe winter, utility rate increases, or some other household use that's consuming power, the culprit might be an older HVAC system that no longer operates as efficiently as it used to. Investing in a new high-efficiency furnace, A/C, or heat pump system, fortunately, can start a new era of lower energy costs, eventually reimbursing you for much of the cost of that new HVAC system.

To discuss the repair vs. replace question in your Broken Arrow home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Geralt/Pixabay”

What to Expect: HVAC Costs

Most people don't know much about their HVAC systems. And that's OK, as long as you have a trained, experienced technician to take care of problems for you. But until you find that technician, you're often flying blind. One quotes you a price for fixing your A/C, and it seems a little high, but in the end, you have no frame of reference for what the actual price should be.So here's a helpful guide to various HVAC costs you can expect.

Repair Costs

In Broken Arrow, the average HVAC repair job will cost you $212. You can expect to pay a minimum of $100, just for basic service fees, and possibly up to $400. Bear in mind, this is a bit higher than the national average and that more extensive repairs can run higher yet.Also note that your HVAC costs are very much dependent on what repairs need to be made, how serious they are, and what you're willing to pay for. Replacing your thermostat, for example, can cost anywhere from $60, for a basic model, to $250, for a top of the line Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat. And one of your most expensive repairs will be to replace your air compressor. That can range anywhere from $1,350 to $1,800, depending on what size and type of compressor you need.

Annual Maintenance

There are other types of HVAC costs besides just repairs. In order to make sure your system is running at peak efficiency, your HVAC technician needs to perform annual maintenance. Keeping up with this can help you avoid expensive repairs later, and extend the life of your system overall.On average, you can expect to pay between $70 and $100 for your maintenance visit. Or, by paying just a little more, you can get a service contract. For a flat annual fee, not only do you get scheduled tuneups for both your A/C and furnace, but service visits for basic repairs as well.

To learn more about your expected HVAC costs, contact us at Air Assurance today. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Make Sure Your Technician's NATE Certified -- Because You Want The Job Done Right

Successful and safe installation of HVAC equipment requires a technician with a high level of professional experience and practical knowledge. A reliable indicator of HVAC technician competence and adherence to high standards is certification and recognition by professional industry organizations. If your technician's NATE certified, you know you're dealing with the best.In the HVAC industry, NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is a leading education, testing and certification source for technicians who install, repair and service air conditioners, furnaces and other forms of HVAC equipment. If you make sure your technician's NATE certified, you can be assured of excellent service from a knowledgeable technical professional who will do the job right the first time.Founded in 1997, NATE is a well-known nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the standards of HVAC technician performance through rigorous testing and certification. NATE is recognized by trade unions and industry organizations, including some of the more prominent such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).NATE has certified more than 26,000 technicians in diverse areas of the HVAC industry. To earn certification, individuals must prove a high level of general knowledge about HVAC equipment and focused technical knowledge in a specialty. Technicians must pass a test covering general HVAC information and at least one area-specific exam in either installation or service. NATE-certified technicians commonly hold certifications in areas such as:

• Air conditioning

• Gas or oil heating

• Air distribution and ventilation

• Commercial refrigeration

• Air-source heat pumps

• Ground-source heat pumps

• HVAC system efficiency

NATE statistics show if your technician's NATE certified, the rate of callbacks to revise or rework projects is nearly 13 percent lower than for non-NATE technicians. Nearly 70 percent of customers surveyed said they were extremely satisfied with the performance of their NATE-certified technician. Almost a third of survey respondents indicated high satisfaction with systems installed by NATE-credentialed professionals.At Air Assurance, all of our HVAC technicians are NATE certified, so you can count on us for professional, reliable HVAC sales, installation and service in your Tulsa-area home. Contact us today for more information on NATE certification or to schedule maintenance or new installation from one of our dedicated NATE-qualified professionals.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock