We all want to extend the life of our air conditioning unit for as long as possible, however, it can be difficult to tell when to throw in the towel. There are several factors our service technicians take into consideration when determining whether an AC unit needs to be repaired or if it’s time for a replacement.
Considerations for Replacement
How Old is Your AC Unit?
Age is the number one thing you want to consider when it comes to repairing vs. replacement. The Environmental Protection Agency and Precision Heating & Air recommend homeowners replace their air conditioning units every 10-15 years.
Although your air conditioning unit may function after this threshold, repairs may become more frequent, and the system will be far less energy efficient over time.
How Often are Your Having Your Unit Repaired?
If you are constantly calling a service technician out to repair your broken AC unit, it may be time for a replacement, especially if your unit isn’t able to keep up with Georgia’s hottest temperatures in July and August. Constant repairs will likely cost you more money than investing in a new system.
Occasionally AC units will break, and that’s normal. However, with routine maintenance checks, this shouldn’t be a recurring problem.
How Efficient is Your AC Unit?
If your air conditioning unit is over 10 years old, chances are it’s not very energy efficient. If you notice that it is taking an abnormally long time for your AC unit to cool the whole house or if your AC unit is not fully cooling your home, it may be time for a replacement.
Is Your AC Unit Making Loud Noises?
Sometimes when air conditioners are overexerting themselves in efforts to cool your home they can make loud, excessive noises. This is not normal and should be reported to your HVAC service technician before matters get worse. Your AC unit may only need a routine repair, but if left unrepaired this could lead to a total replacement.
Considerations for Repair
Replacing your AC unit is not always the right answer. Sometimes HVAC systems just need a routine repair or regularly scheduled maintenance to get them up and running again. Here are a few instances when AC repair would be preferred over replacement:
- If you have a new system
- If the cost of repair is still less than half the cost of a new unit
- If you are not on a current maintenance plan. Routine maintenance can extend the life of your AC unit. If you are not currently on a maintenance plan, ask a service technician how to get started. Improper maintenance could be causing small problems with your unit that can easily be resolved.
Contact Precision Heating & Air Today
If you’re still not sure whether you should repair or replace your current air conditioning unit, call Precision Heating & Air today.
Schedule a repair or routine maintenance check online or call (770) 445-0870.
