If the HVAC appliances in a home that you have recently purchased are old, and you are worried that you can't afford to replace what you have, but that the old units could be a risk, schedule an appointment with an HVAC expert. Talk with a heating and cooling expert that comes to your home about the current state of your heating and cooling appliances, the costs and estimates to replace what you have, and the potential savings and benefits of new units. Here are some things to take into consideration if you are having a problem making a decision.

Safety is the Most Important

The most important thing that you have to worry about is the safety of your home and family. If you have an old furnace that is at a high risk of a gas leak because of old pipes or components, or that has some internal problems, you are at risk. You don't want to worry that your furnace could explode or catch fire, or that your air conditioner is going to short circuit or push exhaust through the house because they are old and unreliable.

New Appliances Can Save Money

New appliances do have an initial investment cost, but they save money over time. These new appliances will:

• Reduce energy consumption and utility bills
• Improve home value
• Get homeowners insurance rates lowered
• Possibly earn tax refunds

The specific types of models you choose for the replacement can determine if you are getting money back on your taxes for upgrading to an energy efficient model.

Ask for the Most Affordable Replacement Options

If the HVAC contractor tells you that your appliances are unsafe and costing you a fortune to run, ask about the most affordable replacement options. The contractor may have access to refurbished systems, models from the previous year, and other things that can help you save.

Talk with the air conditioning services professional about how you can save money, and if they have some type of credit program or payment plan that you can explore. You want to find out what appliances have to be replaced, how much it's going to cost you to replace the units, and then how much you may be able to save with the utility expenses. With this information, you will be able to decide what you can afford to spend right now, what you have to replace right now, and how to protect your home.