How to Tell if it's Time to Replace Your AC

You’ve had an HVAC tech evaluate your AC unit and the news isn’t good. It’s a hefty repair and you can’t go without AC. How do you decide whether to repair or replace your AC?

There are a few factors to take into consideration when you’re faced with either repairing or replacing your air conditioner, including the age of your unit, whether it’s under warranty, how well your unit works, and the costs and benefits of a new system.

When to Repair

An air conditioner has an average lifespan of 16 years, however, individual lifespans vary depending on the manufacturer, the quality of the installation, and the frequency of use. It’s no exaggeration to say that Florida air conditioners get a heavy workout. For many Brevard county residents, a working AC isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

If your AC is under warranty, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for having it serviced or call a reliable, local AC repair company to take a look at the unit. After the diagnosis, and once you’ve received a quote for repairs, consider the following factors.

• When was the last time the unit broke down?
• How long have you had the unit?
• Does your unit have any other problems? (Is it noisy? Does it cool efficiently? Is it unreliable?)

If your unit rarely breaks down, is less than 16 years old, and generally works well, repairing it is a great option. As your unit ages and becomes less reliable, it would be wise to start planning for a replacement.

If your unit has frequent issues and is still covered by a warranty, follow the manufacturer's instructions for having it repaired and replaced. Alternatively, you can pay out of pocket for a repair or for a replacement if the repair costs are beginning to exceed the cost of a new unit.

When to Replace

While replacing your AC unit will generally cost more than repairing it, sometimes it’s a necessary and wise investment.

If your unit needs frequent repairs and is no longer covered under a warranty, it’s time to consider replacement. Units that cool unevenly, require frequent repair, are noisy, and are not energy efficient should be replaced with newer models. In fact, because of the strides made in energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR recommends old ACs be replaced if they are more than ten years old. While few households or businesses will replace an older, functioning air conditioner unit, it may be the best choice for those encountering frequent repairs, even if it seems that the AC may have a couple years more life left in it.

In addition, you may be eligible for financing to help you budget the cost of a new system. Combined with the energy savings of a more efficient air conditioner unit and a new warranty, you won’t miss the frequent repair calls and uneven cooling at all!

At Page Air, Inc., we provide high-quality service to the Brevard County area. We understand the importance of a functioning AC unit to your family or your business’s comfort, and we are committed to providing you with quick service to help you stay cool. Our goal is to serve our clients as best we can, so we also sell Trane air conditioners and offer financing. We aim to work with our clients and provide them with the options and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about repairing or replacing an AC unit.

If you have questions about whether it’s time to install a new unit before the heat kicks in, give us a call to schedule a quote today.