Air Conditioner Repair – Do You Repair or Replace?
Spring in Michigan can make a slow start, but once the weather heats up, you will want your air conditioner to be operating at full capacity. The combination of heat and humidity can be tough. This is why having your air conditioner checked out before the temperatures rise is a wise decision. If your AC is not working properly, you may wonder if you should repair your unit or replace it entirely. This is not an easy decision for a homeowner on a budget to make, so in this blog we will talk about the different factors to take into consideration when choosing between air conditioner repair or replacement.
Air Conditioner Repair vs. Replacement
Before you decide to repair or replace, here are the factors you should consider:
The Age of the Unit – Older AC units often require frequent repairs. Newer units may only need small repairs over time to keep operating at capacity. However, if your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you may save money by replacing it rather than continuing to make expensive repairs.
If the repair will cost more than half of the price of a new unit, it’s probably better to replace it. In fact, HVAC professionals have a simple formula they use to make these determinations: Multiple the age of the unit by the cost of the repair. If the total is greater than $5,000, it’s better to replace it. This is especially true if you’ve had to repeatedly repair it in the last several years.
Frequency of Breakdowns – If your air conditioner is breaking down frequently, it may be a sign that it’s time to replace it. Your air conditioner might have underlying issues that are not easily repairable. Lifetime cost analysis is important here. Your service technician can help you determine what the best return on your investment would be.
Energy Efficiency – Newer air conditioners are generally more energy efficient than older units, which will mean lower energy bills for you. Choosing an ENERGY STAR certified air conditioner means you can improve the comfort of your home while saving energy. It will also protect our climate and air quality by helping prevent harmful carbon pollution and reducing other greenhouse gases.
Many older units still use R-22 refrigerant which is damaging to the ozone layer and is being phased out. Because this refrigerant is becoming harder to acquire, these units will be more expensive and harder to fix in the future.
HVAC technology is rapidly improving, and there are many types of air conditioning improvements you can make to cool your home while saving energy, including smart thermostats that can diagnose and troubleshoot HVAC problems, variable-speed and variable-capacity units, and zoning technology that lets you control temperatures in different sections of your home. We can all feel good about minimizing energy waste.
Comfort – If your current air conditioner is not able to keep your home consistently comfortable even after repairs, it’s time to replace it. In addition to temperature and humidity, you know how your air feels. That’s important. You want to feel comfortable in your home and rely on the air being reliably cooled when summer blasts you with its full force.
Are You Ready to Replace Your Air Conditioning System?
Your new AC may qualify for discounts and savings, including tax credits from the federal government and rebates from your local utility company. These can add up to thousands of dollars in savings. If you just got a tax refund, you can use that to update your HVAC system too.
If you are considering updating your air conditioning, Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating is here to help you find the perfect system for your home. Our experienced technicians will take into account your home’s layout, ductwork, windows, and doors and make recommendations for a system that will revolutionize your comfort. If, on the other hand, based on the above factors, you decide repairing is a better option for your home and budget, we can do that too! Call us today for help with any heating or cooling problem you have.
