They don’t make ‘em like they used to!
We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase before. At Rostron Premium Home Services, we hear it quite frequently. Jersey Shore homeowners are afraid to let go of their furnace that’s older than their adult children, or their boiler that’s been heating the house for three generations.
The apprehension is warranted. In a world where things don’t seem to last quite as long as they used to, spending money on something new. It’s cutting-edge technology, has all the bells and whistles, and maybe even a cupholder.
Being in the home services industry, we at Rostron Premium Home Services believe we have a unique standpoint on the issue, and we’d love to share our thoughts on the debate.
Has Quality Decreased Over the Years?
Automation
In years past, more and more manufacturing positions have been replaced by machines. There are fewer human hands involved with creating products overall, including the HVAC field. Individual parts may also be produced separately before being put together in a whole.
But does that make them lower quality?
It’s difficult to say for sure, but what we can tell you is that there are no perfect scenarios. Humans make mistakes, and so do machines. Perhaps it’s the fact that we expect so much more from an entity that only has one purpose and are prepared when a handcrafted items fail.
To blame automation for a decrease in quality would be troublesome, mainly because of how far we’ve advanced because of it. Dependency on machines and technology in the HVAC industry have eliminated dangerous jobs and increased production, leaving us with much better lives. Don’t you think so?
New Technology: More Likely to Fail?
Personally, as I get older, I feel more out-of-touch with technology. New devices and abilities feel overwhelming. The more time marches on, the more I wonder why companies are fixing things that aren’t broken.
The answer (and one that I hate admitting) is that they are constantly making improvements. For some industries, it might mean safety against identity thieves. For others, it might help you save money. In the HVAC world, new technology often improves comfort like humidity control, introduces new features like being able to control your thermostat from your phone, or protects your New Jersey home from falling victim to damage from faults like a clogged drain line.
Sure, things break. They always will. But newer technology like WiFi thermostats and leak detectors are constantly being improved, both adding new abilities and updating what’s already there to improve reliability.
Don’t forget, that boiler from the 70’s was “new technology” once. Over time, it was made better, which is exactly why it’s lasted you such a long time.
Efficiency Versus Quality: An Unlikely Tradeoff
Using quality as a loose term, it has decreased as a cost for efficiency. We know what you’re thinking: what in the world does that mean? Well, let’s break it down for you.
Efficiency is the amount of energy used to complete a desired task, like heating or cooling your home. Manufacturers of HVAC equipment have made decisions to make their systems more efficient, both to make the products more appealing to customers and due to new government regulations.
For example, AC condensers have become more efficient over time, climbing from an average of less than 10 SEER to as high as 25 SEER and beyond! How did they do this, you might ask? Technology plays a huge part, allowing less waste. However, they’ve also changed the thickness and type of metal used when creating parts like coils, making them better at transferring heat. You’re saving a ton of money on your bills, but yes, they are more likely to fail.
Another example that is older is the high-efficiency furnace. A normal furnace will heat your air, leaving you with approximately 20% waste. A high-efficiency unit has an additional heat exchanger that will heat that air again, bringing your waste percentage down to as low as 1%! Statistically speaking, though, with two major components like heat exchangers, you are doubling your chances of one failing. They may not be lesser in quality, but it is more likely something will break down.
What’s Left Behind
We hope we’re not too forward, but we’re just going to say it. Replacing your system is NOT going to fix all of your issues.
New furnaces, boilers, or AC units often get a bad rap for not being as good as their predecessors because parts still fail, hot and cold spots aren’t fixed, and homeowners expect everything to be as perfect as when the system was first installed.
On a scale from mint condition to unusable, most Jersey Shore homeowners will opt to keep existing ductwork, baseboard, or refrigerant lines if they are in “Fair” or even “Poor” condition. It’s a much easier decision for homeowners, especially when these parts of the system are inaccessible, like hidden behind walls.
The most important part of a new installation is clear communication between the company and the homeowner. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with reusing portions of a system that are still operational, but there can be downsides.
Finding a Company Who Stands Behind Their Work
Hindsight is always 20-20, but there’s no perfect solution when it comes time to replace your system. At Rostron Premium Home Services, we believe that the most important thing to do is to select a company you trust to complete the install.
The replacement of an HVAC system should be a partnership, and you’ll likely want a company who is going to pick up the phone and take responsibility if things go wrong.
Rostron Premium Home Services serves Monmouth County and Ocean County in New Jersey with heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services. Give us a call at 732-223-8221 or fill out a form on our website. We’re ready to help
