As more Americans turn toward energy efficient technologies and solutions in their everyday lives, it’s no surprise that increasing the energy efficiency of one’s home has become more popular than ever. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Energy Star Program currently estimates that properly insulating one’s home and sealing air leaks can decrease a household’s monthly energy costs by as much as 20% — so

This renewed demand in improved home insulation has caused the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry to grow significantly. From 2016 to 2026, it’s estimated that employment rates in this industry will increase by 15%, a sign that this trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

To help shore up residential and commercial buildings’ insulation, any HVAC company will need to invest in a spray foam insulation rig.

Many HVAC businesses see immediate advantages in purchasing used spray foam insulation equipment over new spray foam rigs for sale. The cost savings and easy availability make it a tempting option, even for HVAC companies that have been in business for years. But do you know all the realities of opting for used equipment? Be sure to know the facts before making your decision:

Used equipment could require costly repairs

While there are initial cost savings associated with used spray foam equipment, these savings can sometimes come with hidden caveats. For example, older equipment is more likely to require repairs and maintenance, which will both cost your HVAC business money down the line.

Another important consideration to make: The older your spray foam insulation rig, the less likely that there will be replacement parts for the rig readily available. Manufacturers slowly phase out parts for older rigs, meaning they’ll become more expensive over time — and eventually obsolete.

In some cases, a used rig is unrepairable

The worst-case scenario with any piece of used spray foam rig is when the rig can’t be repaired. In these instances, you would need to replace the rig entirely — something that can cost you as much as double the price your business initially budgeted for. Because of this, it’s essential to perform a thorough inspection of any used rig’s proportioner, generator, compressor, electronics, and trailer before deciding to purchase it.

Whether your HVAC business is an industry veteran or it’s just starting out, the realities of choosing a used spray foam insulation rig over a new rig have to be acknowledged. Luckily, if new spray foam equipment is outside your business’ budget, there are a growing number of equipment rental options available on the market that are easier on the bottom line.