Homeowners in Arlington, VA, know that keeping their home current and maintained is a great way to increase the equity of their investment. Whether you intend to stay in your home long term or are considering selling soon, increasing equity is a great strategy to place yourself in a position of financial strength. A reasonable investment in HVAC system upgrades may increase home equity in a number of ways.
1. HVAC System Replacement
System replacement requires an investment, but if your home’s HVAC system is more than 10 years old or improperly sized for your home, it may also yield the biggest impact on home equity. Further, many states and other agencies offer rebates and tax credits for new energy-efficient systems, adding to the cost benefits.
If you’re considering a new system, a great option is a heat pump, which uses the air or ground around your home to transfer heat into the home in winter and out of the home in summer. Heat pumps are highly energy-efficient and cost-effective. Heat pumps may be paired with a supplemental heater to assist in maintaining the desired temperature on very cold days.
2. Smart Thermostat
A recent National Association of Homebuilders Survey found that the third most-desired home technology is a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats give homeowners an extra boost of energy efficiency by scheduling heating and cooling usage. The schedule allows homeowners to reduce energy usage at times when no one is home or to set the heat lower in the night when everyone is asleep.
3. Zoning System
HVAC zoning systems claimed the fifth most-desired spot in the NAHB survey. These systems allow the homeowner to heat and cool different parts of the home to different temperatures. The ability to only heat and cool rooms in use reduces energy consumption.
4. Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
Humidity in a home can lead to a few issues. Excessive humidity may lead to air quality issues and potential health risks to homeowners. Humidity may also damage household items, and it’s proven to shorten food shelf life.
High humidity may also result in higher cooling costs. Warm temperatures feel hotter during high humidity. This may mean the thermostat has to be set cooler than necessary to provide comfort when the home has elevated humidity levels.
5. Air Filtration
If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, it’s worth it to check out the filtration system on your current furnace. Standard filters only provide minimum protection, allowing many particulates and allergies through the system to circulate through your home.
Many air filtration options exist to help clean and purify your home’s air, including advanced furnace filters and whole-house air cleaners. Today’s advanced filters aid in removing dangerous pathogens from your home’s air supply.
Another option to ensure air quality is to periodically have your ducts cleaned by a professional. Ducts can collect pet hair, dust and other contaminants. A duct cleaning service cleans your ducts out to ensure your filtered air isn’t passed through dirty ducts.
6. Central Air
Central air, once considered a luxury, is now viewed by most homebuyers as a requirement. If your home doesn’t have a central air unit, you may struggle to get a fair price when selling time. This upgrade, while costly, will enhance your home’s attractiveness to prospective buyers.
7. HVAC Maintenance
If your HVAC system is newer but functioning poorly, you may be able to have it serviced to get it functioning correctly again. Servicing a viable unit is a great alternative to replacing the system.
Moreover, it’s important to keep your unit serviced just like you service your car with oil changes and checkups. We offer a maintenance plan that will help you ensure your unit is always working properly.
Many options exist for HVAC upgrades to aid in increasing home equity. To find out more about which options are right for you, reach out to Vernon The Heating & Cooling Specialist to get a professional service or replacement recommendation.
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