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Repair Or Replace Your Air Conditioner

Posted in: Air Conditioning

Repair Or Replace Your Air Conditioner For Dallas Homeowners

So much has changed in the world of air conditioning in recent years that if your system has almost any significant breakdown — or if it’s just not keeping you as cool as it used to — it may be worth replacing it instead of repairing it.

 

Air Conditioner: Repair or Replace?

Benefits to Replacement

These are the benefits associated with heater / AC replacement:

  • Substantial Cost Savings – If your system is more than 10 years old and repair costs are approaching 50% of the value of the system, a great deal of energy can be saved by upgrading to a newer, more efficient system. Depending on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), upgrading could save you 20% to 40% on heating and cooling costs. Do you use a furnace? Answering the repair vs. replacement question is easy. According to Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings, which measure furnace efficiency, systems from the 1970’s offer AFUE ratings of about 65%, while today’s models offer near total efficiency: 97%. That adds up to a lot of energy dollars.
  • Tax Incentives – In addition to energy savings that add up over the lifetime of your new system, available tax credits and incentives could save you up to 30% of the cost of newer, high-efficiency systems. Look for the ENERGY STAR label for your best options when considering repair vs. replacement.
  • Warranty – Newer units come with a warranty, which helps you save on repair costs should any issues arise.
  • Comfort & Air Quality – Newer systems do a better job of controlling temperature and humidity, which reduces mold and mildew growth, improving both comfort and air quality in your home.
  • Convenience – No more waiting around in an uncomfortable home for repair services or hard-to-find parts for your old system.

Benefits of Repair

Here’s how to tell if repair, as opposed to replacement, is the right route:

  • Newer Systems – For new or relatively new systems, it is likely that repairs make the most financial sense.
  • The 50% Rule – If the cost of repair vs. replacement of your system is less than half of its value and you haven’t been suffering the need for monthly service calls to keep your system up and running, repair may be easier on your checkbook.
  • Moving – If you are planning on moving out of your current home in the immediate future and your system is still working, talk to your local real estate agent to determine whether either repair or replacement would be in your best interest.
  • Maintenance – If your system is sitting on the fence—neither old nor new—some simple maintenance techniques may help prolong its lifespan and make immediate replacement unnecessary. Ask your technician if this is in your best interest, and if so, what you can do to get a few more miles out of your existing system.

Recognizing the Time for Repair vs. Replacement

These are signs that it may be time to call your Aire Serv technician:

  • Age – When it comes to repair vs. replacement, the EPA and Department of Energy’s joint ENERGY STAR program recommend systems older than 10 years old and furnaces or boilers older than 15 years old be replaced. Though these systems may last a few years longer, they will increasingly lose energy efficiency over time,

    costing

    you energy dollars.

  • Frequent Breakdowns – If your system can’t handle the demands on its performance during the hottest and coldest times of the year, or has broken down multiple times over the past several years, repairs may not be in your best interest. In some cases they can add up substantially over time, costing you more than investing in a new system.

  • Uneven Temperatures – Uneven temperatures are an indicator of a possible need for a heating and cooling upgrade.

  • Noise – If your system has to overexert itself to keep up with the heating and cooling demands of your home, it can become excessively noisy or turn off randomly. Establish and maintain a regular maintenance schedule to preserve the function of your system, including annual professional maintenance to prevent problems before they occur.

Repair Or Replace? Ask Your Contractor

If your air conditioner is more than eight years old, repair is probably not worth the expense, unless it’s a simple problem like debris clogging the condenser unit or a worn fan belt. Still, to best weigh your repair-or-replace decision, ask your contractor to assess not just the condition of your existing equipment. Call (214) 238-8353 us for your home service and repair needs.

For more related articles and info visit https://www.berkeys.com/category/air-conditioning-articles/