Should You Repair or Replace Your HVAC System Before Selling?

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You’ve decided it’s time to sell your home. Getting your home ready to sell can be a stressful time; the house needs to be cleaned up, and repairs and yardwork need to be completed.

One question that likely pops up is if you should replace your HVAC system before selling your home. Before your house goes on the market, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of replacing your HVAC system during this time.

HVAC replacement

Should I Replace My HVAC Before Selling My House?

First, we need to determine if your AC needs to be replaced. Consider the following questions:

  • Does your HVAC work, including both heating and cooling systems?
  • Do all the rooms cool down or heat up? Or is it uneven?
  • Do you ever have problems with the unit? Do you have to schedule frequent repairs?
  • Does the thermostat temperature match the home’s temperature?
  • How old is your unit? Is the unit over ten years old?
  • What kind of refrigerant does your AC use? R-22 and several others have been banned from production.
  • Is replacing the unit within your budget?
  • Are you willing to reduce your home’s selling price because your AC is old?
  • Has your HVAC system received routine maintenance visits?
  • Have buyers expressed concerns about the unit?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can better weigh the pros and cons of replacing your HVAC unit before selling.

3 Advantages of Replacing Your HVAC Unit

Replacing your AC unit on a house you won’t be living in doesn’t seem like a great idea on the surface, but it can be a huge selling point and even increase the value of your home. Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes and think about buying your house. How does a new HVAC system sound to you?

Here are some pros of replacing your HVAC unit:

  • Builds Buyer Trust: Replacing your unit, cleaning your home, and being proactive with repairs shows the buyer that you are a responsible homeowner who has taken care of the house. Homeowners who actively maintain and care for their home means that the home and underlying systems are most likely in excellent condition, and there won’t be underlying issues.
  • Great Selling Point: A new HVAC system will have the power required to completely cool and heat the house. You don’t have to worry about whether the system will hold up to the weather. A new system should also be energy efficient. Buyers will recognize that this is an expense they won’t have to make in the next ten years or more and that the energy savings they reap will also add value to the home. A new system is a powerful selling point.
  • Closes the Sale: Buyers who are undecided about which home they should make an offer on may be persuaded by repairs, renovations, and improvements. These details tip the odds in favor of homes ready to purchase and don’t require repairs or additional improvements upon moving in.

Disadvantages of Replacing Your HVAC Unit Before Selling

outdoor hvac unit

It’s not always advantageous to replace your HVAC unit. Here are a few reasons you might decide against HVAC unit replacement:

  • Outside Your Budget: Purchasing a new HVAC unit before selling your house can put a big dent in your wallet. You may make your investment back, but the turnaround time is uncertain. Many HVAC companies offer financing to help, which can help defer any costs.
  • Repair Instead of Replace: If you are experiencing minor problems with your AC or heater, they may be easy repairs. A repair may be better if your system is less than eight to ten years old. Consult a professional HVAC technician for a more definite answer on whether you should replace or repair your HVAC system.
  • Fixer Upper: If you are selling a house that will need a lot of renovations and repairs, don’t install a new HVAC system. It’s better to not spend money on a system that may have to be removed or replaced to accommodate any renovations.

What is the Average Cost of Replacing an HVAC System?

The cost of replacing an HVAC system runs anywhere from $5,000 to $34,000. This would include parts, labor, and installation. According to Forbes, the average price of a new HVAC system installation in the United States is $8,000 as of July 2023.

The exact cost to replace your HVAC will depend on what kind of unit you purchase. Different levels of efficiency, split systems, mini-split systems, heat pumps, boilers, radiators, and natural gas furnaces all add some level of complexity to the price. For example, installing a natural gas furnace will require a natural gas pipeline to the home and the furnace. If the gas line is already installed and only the furnace needs to be replaced, that’s a cheaper installation than having to lay the pipe.

So, should you replace your HVAC system when preparing to sell your house? The answer comes down to the condition of your current HVAC system, the condition of your house, your budget, and the current housing market. We recommend getting the advice of your real estate agent for the housing market and of a trusted HVAC technician for the condition of your HVAC system.

If your HVAC system is in bad condition, the house is unlikely to be gutted by the buyer, and you need just a little boost to sell your home quickly, then replacing your HVAC system is a good idea.

If you do get it replaced, consider getting an inspection done to show the energy efficiency of the new HVAC system to prospective buyers. This report, along with copies of lower utility bills, are excellent selling points that show off the benefits of buying your house.

If you need to replace your HVAC system in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, contact Apollo Home. We offer the best customer service, workmanship, and HVAC expertise around.

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"Ernie & Mike did a superb job on my new furnace and A/C installation. Despite having more than a day’s work to do, they came in and stayed until the job was done. They were organized, efficient, and protected the rest of the house well. Got both furnace and A/C installed the same day. Ernie was courteous, informative, and clearly knew his job better than anyone I’ve encountered before. The units look so good guests now get The Tour of our new system. Apollo is clearly not a fly-by-night company. I would recommend them to anyone in need of a new furnace and/or A/C."
- Jerry A.
"I called Apollo because of a water leak I thought I had in our upstairs shower going into the kitchen. Robbie came and assured me everything was fine & looked at all the other plumbing. He ended up changing a few pipes for our washer & clearing a drain. He was very nice & knowledgeable with all my questions. I ended up signing up for the care plan & was very happy with my service."
- Cassandra B.
"The team at Apollo exceeded my expectations. As a business owner, my attention to the details and commitment to providing excellent service is high. From the sales rep. to the installation team, everyone’s performance was outstanding. For example, the installation team went to great lengths to protect our floors, placing floor runners and across the wood floors and up the stairs. They even were spot washing walls upon their departure. I highly recommend this company."
- Randy B.
"We scheduled an estimate AND a tune-up. We knew something was wrong with our furnace, but hoped we could make it through the rest of the season. Upon telling Bill what our furnace was doing, he warned us immediately what the possible outcome was going to be; a cracked heat exchanger. He watched the flames roll backward, tested carbon monoxide levels, which were so high they meter’s last reading was 5,600 before saying “high”. He immediately shut it down, tagged it, and explained that with levels that high and children in our home he wanted off right away. He continued his inspection and showed us via a camera that not only was it cracked in multiple places, but had holes all over it. He gave us a few options for repairing it; his knowledge as well as genuine concern was beneficial and refreshing. Luckily we also scheduled an estimator, Micah, to come too and we were able to get costs between repairing and replacing (with several options). We decided to replace with a much higher efficiency furnace and one sized properly to our home. Hands down, not only did they both provide us great service and knowledge, but without sounding dramatic, they may have saved our lives. This was our first time calling Apollo, but it won’t be our last."
- Sarah B.
"Apollo is an excellent company. I always receive great service. Alex A. was professional and friendly. He kept me informed during the process of checking my furnace and heat pump to make sure they were working properly. The company makes sure you are notified who is coming and when they are on the way. All my interactions with the company have been wonderful."
- Beverly S.
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