Do you own a building in New Jersey? If you do, how much are you paying to keep it running? You probably have no idea, but there’s a very good chance you’re paying way too much.
Old buildings are absolutely beautiful and the history behind them is incredible. For the most part, you see the beauty and don’t really think about the bulls that much. Unfortunately, a lot of New Jersey’s old homes, offices, and commercial spaces have old heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems that are pretty much anything but efficient. The result of that is energy bills going through the roof and, what’s even worse, repairs that never end.
But how do you know if your HVACR system is still okay or if you need to spring for an upgrade? Easy. Have you made an upgrade in the past decade? No? Then you’re paying too much for it. The worst thing about these older systems is that, apart from being expensive, they’re also relatively unsafe.
So, what to do about it? Let’s see.
When you own a building and when you think about what it’s going to cost you, you think of the obvious – rent, mortgage, and property taxes. But if your HVACR system is old and inefficient, that’s a whole new set of expenses you don’t even know you have.
Here’s how an outdated HVACR system hurts your health and your bank account.
Your energy bills are higher than they should be, all because your HVACR system is too old. Older units aren’t as efficient as new ones, so they need to work harder and run longer to do their jobs. New Jersey is known for extreme shifts in temperature, which means an inefficient system will really struggle to keep up.
That extra strain means the units have to use more power, and you’ll see that in your utility bills. Studies now show that a building with an outdated HVACR system costs up to 30% more than the one with a newer model.
The older the HVACR system gets, the more often you’ll need to call a technician to repair it. Parts wear down over time, and those old units aren’t built to handle the modern energy use. Can you even imagine if a restaurant’s refrigeration unit broke down in the middle of the night? That’s thousands of dollars worth of food down the drain. And that’s if you can get it repaired quickly!
Some costs will hit your health instead of the wallet. Poor ventilation makes the air stale and polluted because it’s trapped inside. If you have allergies or asthma, this is an absolute nightmare. Then there’s mold if there’s a lot of humidity, and these old systems are notorious for circulating dust, pollen, and other contaminants.
Then you have cracks in old furnaces that can leak carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Faulty wiring, overworked units… The list goes on and on and it’s all hazardous.
An upgrade doesn’t have to suck your wallet dry, but keep in mind that you’ll need a pro for this. The good news is, The Garden State pros are up to date on all the latest systems thanks to programs such as New Jersey HVACR license test prep and, after test preparation, the licensing exam.
Here’s how not to spend more than you need to.
The state of New Jersey has programs that can help you cut costs of HVACR upgrades. The New Jersey Clean Energy Program will give you rebates when you install cooling and heating systems that are energy-efficient. You’ll also find discounts at utility companies simply because of upgrading to a newer model.
You don’t necessarily need to replace the whole thing to see a difference, you can just focus on a few parts. For example, you can install a smart thermostat to control the temperatures better. You can also add zoning controls to heat or cool specific areas instead of the whole building, so there’s less cost right there. There’s also replacing fans, compressors, or duct insulation if your system still works, but struggles a bit.
Spread out the cost with financing. Sometimes, the whole system is on the fritz so you have no choice but to replace it entirely, and that’s pricey. The good news is, a lot of manufacturers and utility companies have zero-interest or low-interest payment plans.
You can also lease a system instead of buying it. That way, you don’t need to pay for everything right away, and some leases even include maintenance.
You might think that upgrading the entire HVACR system is scary, but what’s way scarier is sticking to your old, hazardous one. Even if the whole thing needs replacing, you can still make it work financially, and remember – your health doesn’t have a price.
