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Should You Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner? Banner Image

You're at a crossroads. Your air conditioner has been acting upwardly, prompting you to call your local HVAC contractor for service. After diagnosing the consequence, your technician gives you two options. You lot can either repair your current arrangement, or replace information technology with a new one. Which choice should you lot choose?

Before you brand your conclusion, there are several factors to consider.

Hither are 10 questions to inquire yourself before you make up one's mind whether an AC repair or replacement is correct for y'all:

ane. How Erstwhile is Your Current System?

Co-ordinate to the Section of Energy, the boilerplate system lifespan for an air conditioner in the United states is 15-xx years. But in Florida, system life expectancy can be much lower. Here, we use our air conditioners virtually twelvemonth-round. Plus, the units are exposed to high humidity levels, saltwater and sulfur which take their toll over time. These factors result in an average lifespan in the neighborhood of ten-12 years.

Some systems concluding longer, others shorter. The longevity of your system tin also depend on other factors such as the quality of the original installation and how well the unit was maintained. But the general dominion is that if your system is over ten years old, it'south fourth dimension to give the replacement pick some serious consideration.

2. How Expensive (and Extensive) is the Repair?

Is the necessary repair pocket-size, like a clearing a chock-full drain line or replacing a disrepair capacitor? Then the cost of the repair alone not probable high enough to make you consider replacing your arrangement. However, if your air conditioner is over ten years old and the estimated repair bill is close to 50% of its value, replacement begins to make more sense.

Some other aspect to consider is how frequently your current system needs repair work done. Has the unit been running without a hitch, or do you observe yourself calling for emergency Ac repair service every few months? In the latter example, information technology would be more cost effective to invest in a new system, rather than continuing to throw money into an former, unreliable unit.

3. Is Your Current Unit Well-Maintained – Or Not And then Much?

Proper maintenance has a directly impact on your air conditioner's reliability, efficiency and life expectancy. In fact, we've observed that 50% of all costly AC problems could be avoided only by keeping upwards with regular maintenance. If you've been faithfully doing the following:

changing the filter (nosotros recommend in one case every i-3 months),
keeping your outdoor unit free of plant growth and debris,
and calling your local HVAC company for almanac tune-ups,

…your Air conditioning will operate more efficiently and terminal longer. Merely if you've neglected regular maintenance, the bug y'all're experiencing with your organisation right now might be a direct result. You may even need to replace the arrangement sooner than would take been necessary had it been properly maintained.

"If you upgrade your fifteen-year-erstwhile 12 SEER unit of measurement to a 16 SEER unit, you're looking at a potential cooling cost savings of 25% per twelvemonth*.

4. How Efficient Is Your Current Air Conditioner?

Practise yous know your air conditioner's SEER rating? SEER (Seasonal Free energy Efficiency Ratio) represents how efficiently your air conditioner operates. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the system consumes.

Since Jan 2022, all new air conditioners installed in the Southern United States must have an efficiency rating of at least 14 SEER. In January 2023, the minimum efficiency rating will increase to xv SEER. Currently, new Ac systems are available with efficiency ratings ranging from 14-25 SEER. (We're referring to ducted split up systems hither. Ductless and packaged systems take different efficiency ranges.)

If you upgrade your xv-twelvemonth-one-time 12 SEER unit to a 16 SEER unit, you're looking at a potential cooling cost savings of 25% per twelvemonth*.

In most cases an air conditioner's operating efficiency declines with historic period (or due to poor maintenance — see above). Then, after fifteen years, your 12 SEER air conditioner might be operating nearer to a 10-SEER level. This means you could salve closer to 38% per yr on cooling costs by upgrading to a 16 SEER organization*. Upgrade to a organisation with an even college SEER rating and your potential savings volition increase.

See for yourself – use our SEER Free energy Savings Estimator to learn how much you can save past upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner.

And remember, saving free energy not just benefits your wallet, just also the surround.

v. Is Your Air Conditioner Even so Running on Freon?

Speaking of the environment, on January i, 2022, the refrigerant known as R22, HCFC-22 or Freon was officially phased out. This means that both product and import of R-22 is prohibited in the Usa, making R22 increasingly rarer and more expensive to obtain. The problem is, many old air conditioners nevertheless use this obsolete refrigerant. Should your former R22 organization develop a refrigerant leak, the simply manner to recharge it is with recycled R22.

The electric current standard refrigerant, called R410A or Puron, is more eco-friendly than the ozone-depleting R22. If your system was installed after 2022, chances are you have an R410A system. But if your system is older, it might still be using R22.

six. Is Your Electric current System Matched?

When y'all (or a previous homeowner) had your current Air-conditioning installed, did yous supercede either the outdoor or indoor unit of measurement separately? This plan may seem logical on the surface – especially when one role of the split system is still functional. It probably even saved some money initially. But replacing simply the condenser or only the air handler can result in an equipment mismatch. Like an odd couple, these two units were not made to work together and are sure to cause trouble down the road. In short, a mismatched organization tin can result in reduced operating efficiency and shortened lifespan. It will fifty-fifty void the warranty on the new component.

If your current air conditioner is mismatched, nosotros recommend replacing it with a matched arrangement.

seven. Is Your Current Organization Meeting Your Abode Comfort Needs?

Prior to the incident that lead you lot to phone call for AC repair, were you satisfied with your air conditioner'south performance? If your organisation has been…

struggling to go on up with the cooling (or heating) demand,
not cooling/heating evenly,
non dehumidifying properly,
or if your cooling costs are besides high,

…it's time to consider replacing your unit. Your organisation might exist over- or under-sized or mismatched (run across above). Or, you lot might exist a candidate for newer home comfort innovations like a zoning organization or variable speed technology.

8. Could Yous Benefit from New Engineering?

As we alluded to to a higher place, air conditioning engineering has advanced in recent years. And depending on your needs and budget, some of these new-fangled innovations might be right upwardly your aisle.

For case, two-stage and variable speed engineering science allows precise temperature and humidity control. Communicating systems continuously monitor your air conditioner's performance. They tin remind you when it's time to change your air filter or make clean the condenser. The organisation can even notify your chosen HVAC technician if the unit needs service. Also, smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home from your smartphone. Some can even suit the temperature automatically when you leave and when y'all render home. Many smart thermostats interact with other dwelling house automation devices like Amazon Alexa.

Light sleeper? Recent design innovations have resulted in quieter system functioning, so the air conditioner is less likely to wake you during the night as it cycles on and off.

Some of these innovations come with a higher toll tag than a traditional unmarried-stage organisation without the bells and whistles. But you lot can offset that initial price with the energy toll savings — and oftentimes, better warranties and rebate incentives — that come along with a college-efficiency organisation. Which brings usa to our next question…

"Many of our customers accept constitute that a new air conditioner can pay for itself over time — cheers to a combination of rebates, warranties, and energy savings.

9. Are In that location Rebates or Other Incentives Available?

HVAC manufacturers, power companies and even local governments occasionally offer rebates or other incentives toward the buy of college efficiency air conditioning equipment. Be sure to ask your technician to make you aware of any programs being offered right now – these may vary from region to region and from company to company. But they can save you anywhere from hundreds to over a chiliad dollars on your new air conditioner purchase.

Many of our customers accept constitute that a new air conditioner can pay for itself over time — cheers to a combination of rebates, warranties, and energy savings.

ten. How Long Practice You Plan to Live in Your Home?

Lastly, are you planning on moving soon? If and so, y'all won't exist around to enjoy the long-term benefits of a new air conditioner. In such a instance, as long equally the repair is not besides all-encompassing and your unit has been reliable overall, you might want to keep your electric current system running.

Yet, if you are planning on selling your home, a new air conditioner could increase your home's marketability.

Repair or Supercede – Which Did Y'all Choose?

Later answering all of the above questions, we promise that you experience equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision.

If decide to repair your current AC arrangement, and you lot're looking for a qualified Air conditioning company you can trust, feel free to give us a call at (941) 474-3691. We offering 24/seven emergency air conditioning repair service, performed by courteous, factory-trained technicians at competitive rates. Our service area encompasses Sarasota and Charlotte counties in Southwest Florida.

If y'all determine that a new air conditioner is right for you, call united states of america at (941) 474-3691 for a free, no obligation Air conditioning replacement quote. Or, we'll give you a 2d opinion on a quote from another visitor. We are a YORK® Certified Comfort Expert, offering the highest level of service. We will also help you take advantage of current AC rebates and specials.

Fill Out the Form Below for a Free AC Replacement Quote

*According to the SEER Energy Savings Calculator, this is the estimated savings for a 3-ton air conditioner in the Fort Myers, FL area. Based on xi.86 cents/KWh (average price in Florida) and 3303 yearly cooling hours. (Estimated with atmospheric condition data from ASHRAE: ©2017 ASHRAE, www.ashrae.org. Used with permission.) The reckoner is only intended to give you a rough judge. The savings are not guaranteed and depend on various factors.

Based on a blog post titled "When Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?", originally published on January 31, 2013.

Last Updated: June 17, 2022