AC Repair Vs AC Replacement

AC Repair vs AC Replacement

When your air conditioner breaks down, it’s not always clear if you should repair it or replace it entirely. Of course, the last thing you want is to make a bad decision with such a large investment.

Whether it’s better to repair or replace your air conditioner can only be decided on a case-to-case basis. Taking several important factors into consideration, however, should give you a good insight into the true state of your AC unit and help you decide if it’s time to replace it.

1. Age of the Unit

Most air conditioners have a lifespan of ten to fifteen years. If your air conditioner is less than ten years old, it’s probably worth repairing. Older than that, replacing the AC unit is probably better, even if it still looks in good condition.

If your air conditioner is ten years old, its parts are probably worn out and may soon start to manifest problems. You don’t want to wait until your AC suddenly stops working, so think about investing in a replacement before it hits the 10-year mark.

2. Performance and Efficiency

Have you noticed an increase in your energy bills when the electric company has not raised its rates? If this is the case, your air conditioning system may be to blame.

Replacing your air conditioner is expensive, but it’s an investment that pays for itself almost immediately. The energy efficiency of newer air conditioners is much better than that of older ones, which means that your home will use less energy overall.

3. Type of Refrigerant

R-22, also known as Freon, has been used in air conditioners for decades. However, the EPA has phased out R-22 due to concerns about its effect on the ozone layer. R-22 is getting harder and harder to find, so its price has gone up by up to ten times what it was before. If your AC still uses R-22 refrigerant, replacing it will be more cost-effective.

4. Repair Frequency

Is your air conditioner constantly breaking down? That’s one of the more obvious indications that it’s time to upgrade. Another is when one of the major components of your air conditioner fails, such as the compressor or condenser. Because these parts are very expensive, replacing the entire unit is usually the wiser choice.

5. Cost of Repair

Do you spend hundreds of dollars on repairs every time your unit fails? Why not just buy a new air conditioner? If you want to know if a new air conditioner is worth the money, multiply the age of your current unit by the repair cost. If the result is greater than the price of a new unit, then it makes perfect sense to replace it.

Whether you repair or replace your air conditioner, keep in mind that it requires regular maintenance. Having a reputable HVAC service provider in your area do regular checks and maintenance on your unit will let you know how it is doing. If in case, the technician discovers something wrong, you’ll be able to fix it before it gets bad enough to warrant a replacement. AC Repair vs AC Replacement contact us today!

Still can’t decide between repairing and replacing your air conditioner? Our colleagues at Precision came up with an infographic that will help you make the right choice. Check it out.

Contact Legacy Heating and Cooling for your AC repair or replacements

We hope we were able to help you decide on what kind of air conditioning with the information we’ve provided. For a list of heating and air conditioning services in Calgary and Edmonton, check Legacy Heating & Cooling out today! Our experts will be happy to help you choose the air conditioner that best suits your lovely home.

About the author

Shelby Bartz is the new Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Shelby is a devoted bookworm but when she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cruising around town with her beloved ginger husky, Maxxy.