When Should You Replace The Major Components In Your Home?

It’s tempting to think that the major components that make up your home will last forever. Things like your HVAC system, water heater and even your roof can seem invincible. They do their jobs faithfully day in and day out without you having to think too much about them. They do have a limited lifespan though: around 12-15 years on average.

Replacing major components like this is often a large investment upfront, but generally it’s much cheaper in the long run. Here are the lifespans of some of your home’s most important components and why it’s so important to replace them.

When To Replace Your HVAC
Houses these days aren’t equipped with some of the 30 year Trane HVAC units still out there running strong. Your average HVAC unit has a much shorter lifespan of 12-15 years. If your home is entering this range then be mindful that the HVAC is going to need to be replaced soon.

The sooner you replace your HVAC the better too. Aging HVAC units will become more expensive to maintain as they get lose efficiency. Higher energy bills can quickly start to add up, and at a certain point you’ll be spending more in repairs than you would spend on a new unit.

When To Replace Your Water Heater
Water heaters usually start to go at around 12-15 years too. You should replace your water heater as soon as it starts giving out, as a failing water heater can bring on dire consequences. Older water heaters are more prone to spring links, release carbon monoxide into your home if it is a gas fired unit and in some cases they can even explode, causing severe damage to your home or anyone who’s unlucky enough to be nearby.

When To Replace Your Roof
Roofs have a varying lifespan, some as little as 15 years and some as high as 50. It’s a safe bet that your roof will be next to go after your HVAC and your water heater though. At around 15 years you’ll want to start keeping a close eye on your roof for signs of missing shingles or granule loss. Especially if you live in a region that is prone to severe weather like hurricanes or hail storms which can cause roofs to age much faster.

A Home Inspection Can Help You Identify Aging Components
Knowing exactly when these components need to be replaced is difficult. Home built 12-15 years ago are entering into a period where many of the major components will, on average, need to be replaced. A 3 year span isn’t very exact though. Maybe your HVAC is an outlier. Or maybe your roof is a little sturdier than others.

The only way to know for sure is by having someone with experience and knowledge check out your home. That’s why it’s recommended that you get a home inspection on a regular basis, especially when your home is in that critical period between 12-15 years old. A home inspection from a certified inspector will tell you everything you need to know about your home and let you know when it’s really time to begin replacing these major components.

Please contact us at Super Inspection Pros. today to learn more about our home inspection process or to schedule an inspection for your home. You can also find more information about our services at our website.