- 16821 PARK CIRCLE DR. CHAGRIN FALLS, OH 44023
- (440) 543-1777
RISING HVAC COSTS
IS IT TIME FOR A FURNACE REPLACEMENT?
September 9, 2022
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAS AND ELECTRIC FURNACES
October 21, 2022
As temperatures start to fall, HVAC replacement and repair prices are creeping up along with a whole host of other goods and services. Unlike a luxury item, when a furnace breaks in mid-winter, it must be fixed. A savvy homeowner doesn’t like to be blindsided; so, here’s a look at some of the issues contributing to these significant increases.
1. Pandemic - As with so many other things, it all started with the Pandemic! Labor shortages caused productivity to come to a nearly screeching halt. Raw materials were hard to come by. Just when we thought we were making our way out of that situation…. along comes rampant inflation.
2. Raw materials pricing - The price of steel, copper, aluminum, and lumber have gone up significantly. Even something as simple as the wood pallets to move the products have increased as well.
3. Diesel fuel costs - have increased dramatically and have impacted all areas of the HVAC business. Larger vehicles are needed to haul HVAC units from the manufacturer. Also, service trucks that come to your location are loaded with many parts, supplies and tools to make it simpler to make any repairs that may be needed. The heavier the load, the more fuel consumption.
4. Supply shortages - The lag in production and distribution of semiconductor chips that are used in high efficiency HVAC systems, such as heat pumps and mini splits, have slowed down the production of these HVAC units worldwide. Maritime shipping issues play no small role in this perfect storm.
5. New regulations - The Department of Energy’s new minimum efficiency standards go into effect January 1, 2023. Since 2020 R-22 (freon) has been phasing out to make way for more eco-friendly refrigerants. Any repairs that need R-22 will be very expensive. Fortunately, an HVAC system that has been properly maintained through the years should not need to be topped off. If it does, then that means that it needs to be repaired.
As consumers and the HVAC companies come to grips with all these challenges, it is more important than ever to communicate with your local HVAC Company to work through these complexities. The minimum efficiency increases for 2023 will vary not only by product type but also by geographic region. AUBURN HEATING PLUMBING & AIR CONDTIONING is here to help you navigate these new regulations as well as help to mitigate some of the costs by helping you choose the best solution for your HVAC needs. CALL - 440-543-1777
1. Pandemic - As with so many other things, it all started with the Pandemic! Labor shortages caused productivity to come to a nearly screeching halt. Raw materials were hard to come by. Just when we thought we were making our way out of that situation…. along comes rampant inflation.
2. Raw materials pricing - The price of steel, copper, aluminum, and lumber have gone up significantly. Even something as simple as the wood pallets to move the products have increased as well.
3. Diesel fuel costs - have increased dramatically and have impacted all areas of the HVAC business. Larger vehicles are needed to haul HVAC units from the manufacturer. Also, service trucks that come to your location are loaded with many parts, supplies and tools to make it simpler to make any repairs that may be needed. The heavier the load, the more fuel consumption.
4. Supply shortages - The lag in production and distribution of semiconductor chips that are used in high efficiency HVAC systems, such as heat pumps and mini splits, have slowed down the production of these HVAC units worldwide. Maritime shipping issues play no small role in this perfect storm.
5. New regulations - The Department of Energy’s new minimum efficiency standards go into effect January 1, 2023. Since 2020 R-22 (freon) has been phasing out to make way for more eco-friendly refrigerants. Any repairs that need R-22 will be very expensive. Fortunately, an HVAC system that has been properly maintained through the years should not need to be topped off. If it does, then that means that it needs to be repaired.
As consumers and the HVAC companies come to grips with all these challenges, it is more important than ever to communicate with your local HVAC Company to work through these complexities. The minimum efficiency increases for 2023 will vary not only by product type but also by geographic region. AUBURN HEATING PLUMBING & AIR CONDTIONING is here to help you navigate these new regulations as well as help to mitigate some of the costs by helping you choose the best solution for your HVAC needs. CALL - 440-543-1777
