"I figured all the talk about efficiency and quiet operation was mostly marketing fluff."
Yeah, I felt exactly the same way. Our HVAC hit 20 years last summer, and I kept thinking, "If it ain't broke..." But after seeing your experience, maybe it's worth reconsidering. Still, upfront costs are no joke—gotta crunch those numbers carefully. Glad to hear the upgrade actually paid off for you, though. Gives me something to think about...
Totally get the hesitation—upfront costs can sting a bit. But honestly, newer units really do make a noticeable difference. I swapped mine out after 18 yrs, and the quiet alone was worth it (no more rattling at night...). Plus, my electric bill dropped enough to ease the pain of that initial investment. Might not be all marketing fluff after all, haha. Anyway, sounds like you're already weighing the pros and cons pretty thoughtfully. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Curious if you've noticed uneven cooling or heating in certain rooms after all these years? Older units sometimes struggle with consistent airflow, which can subtly affect comfort levels without us realizing it... Have you checked your vents lately?
I've noticed this too, and you're right—checking vents can make a huge difference. Had similar issues with uneven temps upstairs, but after giving the vents a quick clean and adjusting dampers a bit, things improved noticeably. Worth a try before considering pricier fixes...
Cleaning vents and adjusting dampers can help, sure...but honestly, after 20 years, you're probably pushing your luck a bit. Mine hit the 18-year mark before it started acting up, and no amount of vent tweaking could fix the underlying issues. Efficiency drops off gradually, parts wear out, and eventually repairs add up. I'd say keep an eye on your energy bills too—sometimes the pricier fix upfront is actually cheaper in the long run.
