What to Expect When Replacing Your HVAC System

Before you start on a replacement, you should schedule an appointment with Service Legends and get a free estimate on costs. During your estimate, your Comfort Advisor will measure the square footage of your home and perform load calculations based on your property size, condition, and windows. Once the load calculations are complete, your Comfort Advisor will recommend what size and type of unit will be most suitable for your home.

If you think you only need to replace the AC compressor or the air handler, you thought wrong. It is recommended to replace the entire system, even if it’s only one part of your system malfunctioning. Replacing the entire system means spending more money upfront, but also means your system will maintain efficiency, which will save you money later on.

Calculating the system size is very important. You don’t want to get a system that is too large or too small for your home. If you get the wrong size, it can lead to your system not being energy efficient which results in higher utility bills. You will also want to consider the weather, to make sure that your system can handle the different temperatures in your area. 

A qualified contractor like Service Legends will be able to calculate all of these components in an estimate, but here is a helpful chart to give you an idea of what HVAC size you should be shooting for:

• 1.5 tons – 600 to 1,100 sq. ft.
• 2.0 tons – 901 to 1,400 sq. ft.
• 2.5 tons – 1,201 to 1,650 sq. ft.
• 3.0 tons – 1,501 to 2,100 sq. ft.
• 3.5 tons – 1,801 to 2,300 sq. ft.
• 4.0 tons – 2,101 to 2,700 sq. ft.
• 5.0 tons – 2,401 to 3,300 sq. ft.

Now that you have a completed estimate and you have chosen a new system and contractor, you are ready to move forward with the installation. There are a lot of things you can do before the contractors arrive at your home that can speed up the process. Many contractors are uncomfortable when asked to move expensive items from the work area. Make sure the work area is cleared out to avoid any issues or accidents. It is also a good idea to keep your pets away from the work area by keeping them in a safe and quiet location your contractors and your pets will thank you later for it!

Most HVAC systems can easily be replaced within a day, but there are some circumstances where it could go into the next day. Our team will notify you as soon as possible if the installation is going to take longer than expected. You will be the first to know.

Your installation crew will protect all flooring if applicable and work areas by placing cloths or protective paper around the area. They will also move furniture and other household belongings that are near the work area to a safe location. Other household items that can’t be moved will be covered with plastic for protection against dust and other particles.

Your Home Comfort Hero at Service Legends will test the system when it is completely installed to ensure that all components are working properly. After testing is complete, we will go over the new system and warranty information with you, as well as answer any questions that you may have.

At Service Legends, we stand behind our work for a long time with a Lifetime Unit Replacement Guarantee. In fact, nobody beats our warranties! In addition to the parts warranties provided by the manufacturer, we offer the longest labor warranties for repairs in the Des Moines metro area.