Don’t panic! Sometimes it’s as easy as changing a dirty air filter. Let’s look at a couple of other things worth mentioning. First, check the air filter. Has it been a while since you’ve changed it? This can hamper the efficiency of your furnace. Next, make sure you didn’t have a circuit breaker trip. And then, you’ll want to check your thermostat’s setting, and make sure the battery in the thermostat doesn’t need to be replaced. These are great places to start.

What we recommend you do is look at the comparison of cost to fix vs repair. The first part of the equation takes into account the age of the furnace. Let’s say you have a 12-year-old furnace. Now, look at what it costs to repair it. If you’re paying $500 per year, you take those numbers and multiply them. 12 x 500 = 6000. If the figure is over $5000 it’s time to replace. If it’s under, you’ll repair. For example, if repairs generally only run you about $300 per year, 12 x 300 = 3600, so in that case, we’d recommend repairs.

A properly serviced and maintained furnace is more efficient and lasts longer. With this in mind, we recommend servicing it yearly before it gets cold. Keep in mind if you have a warranty, for the manufacturer to pay for any issues, they’ll probably want proof that you maintained it and had it inspected yearly.

When choosing to replace or repair an air conditioning unit, a good rule of thumb is to look at the age of the unit. If it’s over 10 years old, it may make sense to replace it. As for lifespan, most air conditioning units see about 12-15 years, and heat pumps about 14 years, if they’ve been well maintained and installed correctly.

Central air conditioning is something we rely on. When it comes time to replace your system, HomeAdvisor says it costs around $3,700 to $7,000. Now, take in mind there are other factors that may come into play such as the condition of your existing duct work, along with the type of unit you need. Also, consider the part of the country you live in may have an impact on the pricing.

Determining what size AC unit that you need can be complicated. Some suggest 1 ton of AC for every 500-600 square feet, but that’s a generalized rule of thumb. In reality, you’ll also want to account for the types of ceilings you have, number of windows and doors, what climate you live in, how many occupants live there, and even things like insulation. A well-trained HVAC contractor can use a Manual J to get you a better estimate that will help you find a more precise answer..