Will Upgrading Your HVAC System Increase Your Home’s Value?
Upgrading your HVAC system is a smart decision for a number of different reasons. Not only will many HVAC upgrades lower your cooling and heating costs and improve your overall home comfort, but many of these same upgrades can also increase your home’s value and appeal. Today we’re going to take an in-depth look at how HVAC upgrades compare to other home improvement projects and also which upgrades will provide the biggest benefits.
How HVAC Upgrades Compare to Other Home Improvements
Even if you’re not considering selling your home any time soon, it is still always a good idea to make regular upgrades to protect your home’s equity. The only issue is determining which upgrades are actually worth it as the majority of improvement projects will only increase your home’s value by a fraction of what the project costs.
This is especially true for things like remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. These types of projects can definitely make your home feel more modern and increase its appeal, but the additional value they add is generally never close to the total cost. The average cost to remodel a bathroom is around $12,000 while the average kitchen remodeling project’s cost is over $25,000. The issue is that these remodels typically increase your home’s value by around 60% of what you spent on the project.
On the other hand, you will almost always recoup the entire cost of many HVAC upgrades if you were to sell your home in the next few years. This is especially the case if you’re replacing an old, outdated air conditioner, furnace or heat pump with a new, more energy-efficient unit. Should you decide to sell, the price of the new unit will generally always be included in the home appraisal and should increase your home’s value by whatever the unit cost.
A new HVAC unit will also make your home much more appealing to potential buyers due to its improved performance and efficiency. On the other hand, outdated HVAC units will almost always lower your home’s value since any prospective owner knows that they may need to replace the unit soon after closing on the home.
Upgrading to an Electric Heat Pump
California has announced a proposal that would outlaw the sale of gas furnaces and other gas-burning appliances beginning in 2030. This proposal is part of the government’s push to get home and business owners to switch to more energy-efficient electric heating options like heat pumps. While some are against this move, the fact is that heat pumps are far and away the most energy-efficient heating option currently available. Not only that, but a heat pump can also function as an air conditioner to keep you cool during the long summer months.
These factors make upgrading from a gas or electric furnace to a heat pump by far one of the best and most effective home improvements you can make. Compared to any other heating option, a heat pump will typically reduce your heating costs by anywhere from 30% to 60% or more. This improved efficiency will definitely make your more valuable, and it will also help to make it more appealing to many people since heat pumps are one of the best ways to lower your home’s carbon footprint.
Ductwork Resealing, Repairing or Replacing
Ductwork typically has a maximum life span of around 20 to 30 years. If you were to try to sell your home with old, leaking ductwork, the value would suffer quite a bit since any prospective buyer would likely know that they would need to pay to have it replaced. If your ductwork is nearing the end of its life span, then we recommend having it replaced in order to protect your home’s value.
Damaged, poorly sealed or otherwise leaking ductwork is one of the biggest contributors to energy waste, and it also increases the wear and tear on your HVAC units. This is why we also recommend having your ductwork repaired or resealed as this will also improve both your home’s value and appeal.
Indoor Air Quality Equipment
Poor indoor air quality is a much bigger problem than most people realize, and it is also something that affects virtually every home. The EPA estimates that the air inside the typical home is three to five times more polluted than outdoor air. For this reason, upgrading your HVAC system to include indoor air quality equipment is also a great decision for anyone looking to increase their home’s value.
One of the best options is a whole-home air filtration system, which will work to filter out the vast majority of airborne pollutants as well as allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mold spores. There are also germicidal UV light systems that will kill most bacteria and viruses, and you may also want to consider a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier to help better manage your home’s humidity level. All of these indoor air quality units are relatively inexpensive compared to many other home upgrades, and the benefits they provide in terms of both health and home appeal can make them among the most effective upgrades out there.
HVAC Zone Control
Installing an HVAC zone control system is another upgrade you may want to consider. This is especially true if your home is large, has multiple floors or if you have issues with uneven heating and cooling leading to hot and cold spots. A zone control system splits your existing ductwork up into smaller sections. Every section or zone has an independent thermostat, which means that you can control and adjust the temperature in one zone without impacting the rest of the building.
HVAC zoning is by far one of the best and most effective ways to lower your heating and cooling costs as it ensures that you no longer need to heat and cool the entire structure at one time. It is also the best way to overcome many issues like uneven or insufficient heating and cooling. While a zone control system isn’t necessarily cheap, the benefits that it can provide make it well worth the investment.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are one of the least expensive HVAC upgrades you can make, but they can have a huge impact in terms of your home’s appeal. A smart thermostat provides the convenience of enabling you to control your HVAC system remotely from your phone or another device. These units also use algorithms that can learn about your behavior and automatically make adjustments based on both your daily patterns and the outdoor conditions in order to make your HVAC system function as effectively and efficiently as possible. All of this makes them another upgrade that is definitely worth considering.
At Environmental Heating & Air Solutions, our team of certified HVAC technicians can help you with any upgrades you may be considering. We install and service air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits and other HVAC units, and we also specialize in indoor air quality, home automation, insulation and plumbing services. To learn more about your options for upgrading your HVAC system or to schedule a service call in the Roseville area, give Environmental Heating & Air Solutions a call today.
