HVAC Faqs

The average HVAC replacement cost in southern California is $9,500 for a quality full high-efficiency system. They range from $5,000 to $14,000 depending on the size of the unit and the components included.  Furnace + Humidifer + Media Filter, + AC; etc.  The brand choice and warrant are also big factors.  The better the quality, the longer it will last and save in the long  run.  

You may be looking to replace your furnace or HVAC system as it wears out and is no longer efficienct compared to current models.

A new standard HVAC system starts at $5,000 and can reach up to $14,000 for a large full high-efficiency system will all the add-ons. Several factors influence where your price falls within that range such as brand, components and warranty.

We tell everyone that you get what you pay for.  You can go inexpensive and have to repair more often or go with a better quality longer warranty system that saves you annually on maintenance and repair costs.

HVAC Systems are now the HUB of the home and digitally integrated as a SMART device into your home’s WiFi and mobile devices.

They are high tech computers now and this means more expensive components and the need for higher trained technicians to diagnose and service them.

HVAC systems are now more efficient which saves you long term with the increased cost upon purchase and installation.  Labor rates are higher, transportation costs have increased, fuel costs are up.  The good news is that the level of service and support is also up.

The short answer is YES, but there are limitations.

The total tax deduction one can claim annually is $1,200. For instance, the total tax credit cannot be greater than 30% of the total new HVAC unit cost including other upgrades. New high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners max out at 30% or cap of $600.

15 to 25 years

An HVAC or heating & cooling system is a large investment and the hub of your home.  You should want to make it last as long as possible. In general, most HVAC systems last between 15 to 25 years.

However, this depends on the type of system, the brand, and warranty.  The longer the warranty usually means the higher quality and better made product.  That also plays into cost. We usually tell homeowners that you get what you pay for.  Quality brands and reputable equipment may cost a little more up front, but will last a lot longer

Should I shop for an HVAC System During The Off-Season?

Many people believe that prices or discounts are offered in the off season.  Meaning Air Conditioners are cheaper in winter and Furnaces are less expensive in summer.

This is not often the case.  HVAC dealers and installers aren’t short on work.  In fact there is a technician shortage for good workers so demand is high.  The HVAC system is become the digital HUB for the home as a SMART device.  As the technology continues to increase, these system will keep increasing in cost.

HVAC dealers don’t really have downtime where they need business where they have to discount it to stay busy. They are simply switching product installs between air conditioning and furnaces.  Most homeowners are ordering systems in teh off season to be prepared for when then need it.  This means there is a queue of people waiting to get installations completed.

Our advice is to not wait it might be too late for your project timeline.

The short answer is Yes!  A new HVAC system will have an initial, one-time investment up front.  However, it will increase the value and saleability  of your home. From there it will reduce your monthly energy bills due to efficiency of new units per current federal requirements.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, new high-efficiency units can reduce your monthly energy bills between 20–40% depending on the system installed.

The short answer is Yes, due to bundling and economies of scale where the savings could be greater than $1,000.

The units themselves have a fixed cost and a dealer might give a bundled price to save some money.  The major reason you want to bundle them at the same time is the labor cost and truck cost to reach the homeowner. 

On the low end, a new furnace costs $5,000 and an air conditioning system costs between $3,500 to $7,500 installed. If you select to bundle them, the cost will range from $7,500 to $9,500,  providing you some savings.

• Standard non-communicating thermostats, use low voltage wiring which controls equipment in a on and off manner. They sometimes include Wi-Fi^® capability; however, these thermostats are only capable of one-way communication between the thermostat and furnace system.  Standard thermostats can only receive alerts on the wall control display that are pre-programmed by your installer. The thermostats are basic and don’t display fault codes. Examples of non-communicating thermostats are the Google Nest^®, Honeywell^® and ecobee.
• Communicating controls will have Wi-Fi connectivity and run on two-way communication with the HVAC system. The wall control display board will report data from the system. These thermostats receive fault codes and malfunction alerts directly on the wall control display to alert you to the system status.

• Alert codes appear when your furnace control module or thermostat encounter a fault in your systems operation. Depending on the type of alert code that displays, it may or may not require immediate attention. 
• For your safety, you need to contact your local installer or repair service to diagnois the alert codes. There are three types of alert codes that usually identify the problem:
  • Conditions: These are usually not a cause for alarm, but are meant to alert you to the status of the thermostat or equipment. An example would be when there is a software update available. 
  • Fault Codes: These are issues that need to be diagnoised by your local service provider.  Some codes may continue to allow the system to run, but can lead to damage and malfunction if not inspected.  
  • Malfunctions: These codes refer to a type of component or module shut down and/or lockout which prevents damage to the system. These issues must be addressed by a local service provider as soon as possible.  Malfunctions indicate that there is an urgent issue with the equipment.

Your furnace filter location will vary as it is dependent on where the installer places the filter system suitable to your space and installation within your home.

However, there are some common places where the filters can be found:  This includes a small slit on the bottom of the furnace unit, on an external lower rack off to the side of the furnace, in a cutout in the ductwork, or in the return air vent pipe. If you cannot locate your filter, please contact us for service and we can provide a suitable replacement and/or filter maintenace areement.

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MERV ratings are the efficiency ratings of your furnace filter and range on a scale from 1-16 were 1 is the least efficient and 16 being the highest efficiency.

Your specific MERV rating will be dependent on your home environment and your furnace model. Contact us for more information.

For example, a MERV 8 Filter is capable of trapping particles such as dust, pollen and hairspray. It still allows for good air flow.

Going up in rating to a MERV 13 filter means that the filter can now catch particles such as smoke, smog and viruses in additon to what the lower rated MERV 8 can catch.