There are many things to look forward to in the fall. While enjoying the changing colors of the leaves and the cool temperatures, you might overlook some of the seasonal maintenance your home needs. Fall is an excellent time to assess the condition of your HVAC and prepare your home (and electric bill) for the winter months.

WHEN YOU SHOULD REPLACE YOUR HVAC UNIT

If your unit has reached its life expectancy (10 to 15 years old), it may be time to replace it. Some ways to tell if this is the case is if your system needs frequent repairs, is abnormally noisy, or if your energy bills are increasing when your use isn’t.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR NEW HVAC UNIT

When choosing an HVAC unit for your home, one size does not fit all. If a system is too large or too small for your heating/cooling space, efficiency will be lost. This can result in increasing utility costs. There are several factors when considering a new system including climate, the size of the space you are heating/cooling, your home’s foundation, insulation value, air filtration, whether your home is heavily shaded or gets lots of sun, etc. A general rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 ton for every 1,000 square feet of space, although it is always a great idea to ask a professional HVAC contractor for his/her opinion.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

Make sure the contractor you hire has an HVAC license and has certifications required by the state of Indiana. Do your research to ensure that his/her company is reliable, ask for references/referrals and check their business with the Better Business Bureau.

MAINTAIN YOUR HVAC

Did you know that your HVAC should have a tune-up one to two times a year? These maintenances are typically serviced in the spring and fall, to ensure your HVAC is prepared for peak demand periods in the summer and winter months. Some things to do periodically are to change your filters monthly, vacuum around the furnace to keep dust from collecting, and keep the area around your system’s condenser clear from grass/weeds, debris, etc. Remember not to store objects around the furnace or to put anything on your condenser that could reduce the air it needs to take in to cool itself.

HVAC INSTALLATIONS

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP

Stick-Built/Modular Housing
SEER ≥ 16, EER ≥ 10

Mobile/Manufactured Housing
SEER ≥ 14, EER ≥ 10

Dual/variable/multi-speed compressor required unless replacing a 100% electric resistance heat or installing in a mobile/manufactured home.

UP TO $1,500

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP

UP TO $1,500

MINI-SPLIT HEAT PUMP

SEER ≥ 19, EER ≥ 12.5

Dual/variable/multi-speed compressor required. Single room and whole home installations are eligible.

UP TO $1,500

HVAC TUNE-UP

Must be performed by a licensed HVAC contractor. Unit must be located in the member’s primary residence. The unit must be three or more years old and not have an existing preventative maintenance contract or agreement.

UP TO $50

View the full list of rebate requirements at www.seiremc.com/rebates