In the hot Yuma climate, an air conditioner failure can be a big problem. And if your air conditioner is failing repeatedly, it can be difficult to know whether another repair is worth it, or whether it’s time to consider a new air conditioning system entirely. If you’re starting the repair or replace conversation, here are a few of the points to consider to help you make the best choice for your home:
- How old is your system? A well-maintained air conditioner will usually give you about 15 years of usable life. But that doesn’t mean you should wait until your A/C is on its last legs to replace it: poor maintenance and natural variations in manufacturing can shorten the lifespan of a unit considerably.
- Is there another unit you have your eye on? If you’re thinking of upgrading to a higher-efficiency unit, or one with a feature your current A/C doesn’t support like a variable-speed fan, this may be the perfect excuse to upgrade.
- What’s the cost of the repair you’re facing? Use the 5,000 rule: take the age of your unit (for example, 10 years), and multiply that by the cost in dollars of the repair (for example, $600). If the number exceeds 5,000 (as it does in this example: 10 times 600 is 6,000, which is well over 5,000), it’s probably time to replace.
- What refrigerant is your system using? Recently, HVAC systems in the US moved away from the old standard refrigerant, R-22. If your unit still uses R-22, it will become increasingly more difficult and expensive to find — and if you do have a leak in your refrigerant line, you’ll be exposing yourself to pollutants.
- Are you satisfied with your system? Are you comfortable with the temperature, cost, and noise of your running system? If not, speak with your local HVAC experts about options.
If you’ve got questions about whether you should repair or replace your A/C, give us a call at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about the repair vs. replace conversation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
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