Is A New HVAC System Worth The Cost? The Benefits of Replacing Your HVAC System Before Selling Your Home
Painting, decluttering, landscaping, maintenance –– your to-do list may be endless and expensive when you’re preparing to sell your home. One item to consider is replacing your HVAC system.
Is it worth it to replace the HVAC before selling a house?
The answer is it depends!
In this article, we examine the factors to consider before replacing your HVAC system, if it is worth replacing it before selling, and other options if you decide to keep your current system.
Table of Contents
- Should I Replace HVAC Before Selling My House
- 5 Factors To Consider Before Replacing Your HVAC
- Is It Worth It To Replace the HVAC Before Selling a House
- What To Do If You Choose Not To Replace Your HVAC System Before Selling Your Home
- AAA Heating & Cooling Can Prepare Your HVAC System for Listing
Should I Replace HVAC Before Selling My House?
Like many parts of your home, replacing your HVAC can be worth investigating before selling your home. Whether you replace it or not can depend on several factors, such as:
- Age of the home
- Age of the system
- Seller’s market
- Maintenance history
If your home or HVAC system is older than 10 years, replacement is usually recommended. However, before doing so, consider market conditions. If the market favors the seller, it may not be worth it.
5 Factors To Consider Before Replacing Your HVAC
#1: Age of Current System
Many things in your home will need to be replaced or repaired after years of service, including the HVAC system. As a general rule, HVAC systems that are 10 years or older should be replaced.
Additionally, if your home runs on a unit that uses R-22 refrigerant, you must have the unit replaced since R-22 refrigerant is banned from production.
Giving your new homeowners a fresh, up-to-date system can give them peace of mind and further motivate them to purchase the home.
#2: Maintenance History
Maintenance is essential, especially for the functional parts of your home. Although keeping up with maintenance can seem like a burden, if your HVAC system is maintained frequently, it can prevent the need for replacement.
Most HVAC systems will need to be replaced within 10 years, but if you have maintained your system well over time, you may be able to stretch that timeframe. A well-maintained HVAC system can last 15–20 years. Failing to maintain your system may result in it needing to be replaced earlier.
#3: Signs of Potential Issues
Some issues may warrant HVAC replacement before the recommended time frame, including:
- Blowing hot air
- Odd smells
- Struggling to keep up
- Not maintaining temperature in all rooms
- Strange noises
If you are dealing with any of these issues, AAA Heating and Cooling is available to check out your HVAC system and work on repairing or replacing it. Contact our team of experienced technicians who can provide you with the peace of mind of a quality HVAC system.
#4: Cost of Replacement
HVAC systems can vary significantly in pricing depending on whether you need parts replaced or the whole system. Replacing an HVAC system can generally cost between $5,000 and $12,500. Cost variables depend on the:
- System’s size
- System’s style
- System’s brand
- Size of the home
- Layout of the home
Gather your maintenance reports and contact AAA Heating and Cooling today to discuss whether replacing your HVAC system is a wise financial decision. We can walk through the reports, schedule a time to inspect your current system and give you reasonable quotes on replacement costs. Our team understands the added stress of replacing an HVAC system on a specific timeline and will do our very best to get it replaced as soon as possible so you can get it on the market.
#5: Market Conditions
When you are considering selling your home, it is essential to keep an eye out for the market conditions. Setting your home up for success in a competitive market could be the key to a fast and profitable home-selling experience. If market conditions aren’t in your favor, replacing the HVAC system can be a good way to attract buyers to your home.
Is It Worth It To Replace the HVAC Before Selling a House?
You could decide to replace your HVAC before selling your home for many reasons, but there are some good motivating factors. Replacing your HVAC can:
- Increase your property value
- Reduce buyer concerns
- Save energy
- Provide a smoother closing process
If you decide to replace your HVAC, AAA Heating and Cooling is a highly rated Portland HVAC company here to get your HVAC replacement done efficiently and in time for you to list your home. We want you to feel confident in your HVAC system and are here to help.
Increased Property Value
When selling your home, getting the most bang for your buck is essential. If you have the time, replacing your HVAC can increase your property value. Installing a new HVAC can add 5-10% to your home’s property value.
Reduced Buyer Concerns
Buyers can be more generous with offers when confident with the home and its systems. Providing them with a brand-new HVAC system will reassure them they will run into little to no problems with the system for the foreseeable future. This can give them a great buying experience, and you can walk away with the amount you were hoping for.
Additionally, depending on the climate that you live in, a well-functioning HVAC system can make or break a sale. No one wants to wake up to a freezing home in the middle of winter because of an older HVAC system. With a new system, buyers will know they will have comfortable living conditions despite the seasons.
Energy Efficiency
In 2025, having an energy-efficient home can make your life easier, save you money, and attract buyers if you are selling your home. Installing a new HVAC system can reduce utility costs by 20% on average, according to ENERGY STAR. This can be a motivating factor for those interested in buying your home.
In addition to the reduced costs, many homes qualify for tax rebates when installing a new or energy-efficient system. A newer system can modernize an older home, which can be attractive to those who like the character of an older home without the maintenance that comes with it.
Even with a well-maintained HVAC system, age can significantly impact energy efficiency. If your unit is close to 20 years old, you can expect zero energy efficiency. Replacing the HVAC system can be a quick fix and provide instant savings.
Smoother Closing Process
The closing inspection report should have no kinks with a new HVAC system. A new system can provide a smooth, predictable, and expedited closing process.
Make sure to have your realtor highlight the benefits of a new HVAC system, such as:
- Improved energy efficiency
- Better air quality
- Consistent and reliable heating and cooling
- Lower maintenance costs
What To Do If You Choose Not To Replace Your HVAC System Before Selling Your Home
Depending on how quickly you want to sell your home, you may not have the time or budget to replace your HVAC system. Some reasons you may not want or need to replace the HVAC are:
- Not enough time to replace the system before putting the house on the market
- Budget
- There are no current or dire issues with the system
- A newer system has been installed
Whatever the reason, if you choose not to replace your HVAC system, there are a few things you can keep in mind when selling your home.
Be Ready To Negotiate
Even if your unit is still functioning well, the buyers may not be happy with an older HVAC system included in the sale, especially after the inspector builds their report. The buyer may not offer precisely what you are looking for in terms of price or may try to negotiate around the HVAC system. If your home has other selling points, such as other energy-efficient systems, highlight them to potential buyers to balance out the older HVAC system.
Compile Maintenance Records
If you have done a good job maintaining your HVAC system, providing a maintenance history can help ease the buyer’s minds and convince them that purchasing the home with the current HVAC should not cause any problems. Make sure to provide the potential buyers with:
- Dates of service
- Details of the work performed
- Any replacement information
- Contact information of company who performed services
- Any inspection reports
Have Your System Professionally Inspected and Serviced
Inspecting your system can be beneficial when replacing or repairing HVAC parts. Having the inspection report available for potential buyers can also give them confidence from a third party and provide transparency about the home and its systems.
Providing details of the following can be beneficial to the buyers:
- Ductwork assessment
- Thermostat check
- Air filter check
- Furnace inspection
- AC unit evaluations
- Electrical connection check
- Carbon monoxide check
- Noise level check
In addition to obtaining an inspection, get the HVAC system serviced to set the buyer up for success in the home. Getting an HVAC system serviced is a budget-friendly alternative to having the entire system replaced and can still provide the benefits of efficiency and temperature regulation.
AAA Heating & Cooling Can Prepare Your HVAC System for Listing
At AAA Heating and Cooling, we support you at whatever stage you are in your home-selling journey.
Whether you want to replace or repair the HVAC system in your current home or need a new system for a home sale, we are available to help.
Our professionals have been installing HVAC systems for over 60 years. Contact us today to schedule your HVAC inspection.