If you have an old air conditioner that has been giving you problems, it may be good to know that you have options. When an air conditioner breaks down, you shouldn’t have to feel strong-armed into getting a replacement. There will be times when it is worth it to repair air conditioning systems. But there may also be times when a replacement will be better for your pocketbook, your home, and your family’s comfort. At Epic Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’re here to help you sort through some of your options.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs to Be Replaced
If you’ve been plagued with the question, “Should I replace my AC?”, you can consider some of these signs that a replacement might be the best choice.
A Broken Evaporator Coil, Condenser Coil, or Compressor
There are certain parts of your air conditioner that are not only essential for it to run but are also expensive to replace. These include the major components such as the evaporator coil, condenser coil, and compressor. Without these parts, your AC is just a glorified fan. When they break down, it may cost almost as much to fix the unit as it would to get an AC replacement. A good technician will be more concerned about leading you towards the most economical option and will help you make the best choice.
Constant Repairs
Something else that can run up your repair bill is constant repairs. Even if your main components are still in good condition, if you’re having to pay for minor repairs on a regular basis, it may still be cheaper, in the long run, to purchase a new AC instead of constantly trying to fix it.
An AC That’s Over 10 Years Old
If you have maintained your air conditioner well and it’s barely 10 years old, there’s a good chance that small repairs will keep the system running for another 5 years or more. But if you have a 20 year old air conditioner, there might not be many reasons to hang onto your old AC. It will be more likely to need expensive repairs and it probably won’t run as efficiently. As your air conditioner ages, consider getting your AC technician’s opinion on whether you should replace your system. How long before you replace your air conditioner will depend on your system and how regularly it was maintained.
An AC That Still Uses Freon
Did you know that Freon (R22) has been phased out in favor of more environmentally friendly refrigerants? In fact, it’s illegal to produce this refrigerant in the United States. That means that any unit made after 2021 uses a different refrigerant, usually R410A, also known as Puron. If you have an air conditioner that still uses R22, it may be more difficult to have it serviced if there is a leak. Also, if you are concerned about having a greener home, there are some great options on the market that have more eco-friendly refrigerant.
Should You Replace Your HVAC Before it Breaks?
If you like keeping things around in your home until they are completely unusable, it may go against your instincts to replace your air conditioner before it breaks down for good. In some situations, it might be worth it to use your AC until it simply stops working one day. But in other situations, you might be putting yourself in a deeper hole financially by hanging onto a new system.
One of the most common examples is an old air conditioner that is expending too much energy to run. You may be watching your energy bills get slowly higher year by year. For younger systems, regular AC tune-ups can help to boost the efficiency right back to where it should be. But if your AC is inefficient no matter how much you’ve put towards maintaining or repairing it, your only option for decreasing your utilities may be to replace the system.
You should never feel like you have to wait for your AC to break down to replace it. There may be many good reasons to replace it before then. If your monthly budget or your comfort is at stake, you can consider a replacement.
Air Conditioner Repair Near You
When your AC breaks down, the heat outside can make it necessary to get help right away. At Epic Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we will be around to fix your system or to give you advice about replacement. Get in touch with us by phone or online for more information.