Replace or Repair Your Air Conditioner – How to Decide

Air conditioners are an important part of life in the Matthews NC area, and like all appliances, they only last so long. If a unit that you have had for several years unexpectedly fails, you may be left to choose whether to replace or repair your air conditioner. Since hundreds or even thousands of dollars may be at stake, this decision isn’t one to be taken lightly. Instead, consider every factor that plays a role in the decision to make the correct choice for your home and family.

Comparing the Cost of Repair and Replacement

The most immediate concern when deciding whether to replace or repair your air conditioner is the cost of each job. Of course, the more expensive the repair, the more attractive replacement looks as an alternative. Repair costs can vary widely depending on the nature of the problem with your air conditioner. If it needs only a minor adjustment, the repair will likely be fairly inexpensive, but if it needs several replacement components, the repair can be substantially more costly.

When comparing the relative cost of air conditioning repair and replacement, consider the age of your unit and its likely useful lifespan. For instance, if your air conditioner is 10 or more years old, it probably needs to be replaced anyway; there is no point in repairing it now just to get another year or two of use. On the other hand, if your air conditioner was purchased within the last year, repairing it is likely worthwhile. Air conditioners that are around five years old are trickier to judge because they are right in the middle of their effective lifespans. As a rule of thumb, if the cost of repair is more than half the cost of a new machine, replacement is probably the better long-term financial option.

Saving Money With Energy Efficiency

Because the HVAC industry is constantly working to make air conditioners more efficient and effective, a failure can actually turn into an opportunity to improve your home’s climate control. Even if your old unit can be repaired easily, the technicians can only bring it back to its original level of energy efficiency, whereas a newer model can use power even more efficiently. Based on your existing energy costs, estimate the amount of money you will save monthly with an upgrade and compare that number to the price difference between replacement and repair. For instance, if installing a new machine that projects to save you $40 monthly will cost $500 more than repairing your existing machine, the replacement will pay for itself in just over a year.

At All Temp Air Conditioning and Heating, we put our customers first by accurately estimating the costs and benefits of air conditioner repair and replacement. If your current air conditioner is failing and you aren’t sure what to do, call us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.