Most homeowners and business owners alike are faced with the dilemma on whether it makes sense to repair the air conditioner unit they already have or replace it altogether with a new one. Here are some guidelines that you can use to help you make this decision so that you can save money in the long run.
How often do you have to repair?
Does your unit keep breaking down and requiring repairs now and then? If so, then you might have a problematic unit which might be best if you replace. The costs of these repairs over a period of a couple of years might accumulate to the price of a new unit altogether. With all the inconveniences experienced when the unit fails it might be best to get a new one.
Age of your AC
How old is your AC? Most systems are made to last a decade to 15 years. Experts use a $5,000 rule to determine whether your AC is just too old and needs replacement. You take the age of your ac and multiply that with the repair cost required. If the number is greater than $5000 then your ac is too old and needs replacement.
Efficiency of the AC
How efficient is your ac? HVAC systems just like any other technology products keep changing and becoming more energy efficient and efficient in cooling. The recent ac products in the market have great energy star ratings than the old systems. If your system is more than 10 years old it is most probably not very efficient and will need replacement instead of repair.
If the refrigerant leaks
The refrigerant Freon is quite expensive and getting the required pounds of the product after a leakage occurs can cost up to$1,000. When the leakage occurs it is also noteworthy that the compressor might also fail. In most cases where a unit leaks the refrigerant, the compressor is bound to eventually fail. A compressor can cost up to $2000 to replace putting your total costs together with the repair service costs close to $5000. This coupled with any of the factors above is a good reason to change your unit.
Rising energy bills
If you notice that your bills keep rising especially in the summer months then your unit might need replacing. Replacing your unit with a more energy efficient unit will give you savings of up to 20% in energy bills. This savings coupled with the fact that you will not need as many repairs will cater for the incurred purchase costs eventually.
With these tips you can easily be able to gauge the condition of your air conditioning unit. However, if you are still not able to decide whether or not your system needs replacing, you can seek the advice of a professional HVAC technician. Usually it is recommended to ask three different people for their opinion so you are able to make a good decision based on what they majorly tell you.
