Should You Repair Your Air Conditioner or Replace It?
Air conditioners don’t run perfectly forever. Despite your best efforts, things can go wrong. When they do, you may need a professional to intervene. However, how can you tell whether it’s better to pay for a repair or replace your cooling system?
Signs You Should Repair Your Air Conditioner
Even with proper maintenance, air conditioners can malfunction. Here are a few signs that your air conditioner needs repair:
- Your air conditioner is putting out warm air.
- The appliance has been leaking refrigerant.
- It won’t cease running
- Odd noises are coming from your cooling system.
- Your AC’s airflow is weak.
Most of these symptoms relate to issues that a competent technician can easily fix. Still, in certain cases, it may be wiser to replace your system entirely.
Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner
While it may still be possible to repair an air conditioner in certain circumstances, there comes a point where it makes more sense to pay for a new appliance. Here are some signs that you need to replace your AC:
- Your utility bills are always increasing.
- Your air conditioner’s performance is weak despite consistent maintenance.
- You keep needing repairs to keep the appliance working properly.
- The cost of repairs is close to exceeding the cost of replacement.
When to Opt for a New Air Conditioner
Buying an air conditioner is a big investment, so many people resist replacing their units when they feel they could get more years of service out of them. There are ways to calculate when it’s best to pay for a replacement. A common one is to multiply the age of your system by the amount you spend on repairs. If it comes out to over $5,000, it’s probably time to buy a replacement.
While most air conditioners last from 10 to 15 years, this is not a hard rule. Overall, if your system is running well and does not need frequent repairs, you can probably keep it running well into the future.
Other Benefits of Replacing vs. Repairing Your AC
While the cost involved is certainly the biggest downside of investing in a new air conditioner, you may have not considered all the possible upsides. These include:
- The stronger energy efficiency of newer air conditioner designs
- Lower energy bills from more efficient performance
- Lack of repair costs
- Ease of maintenance of newer designs
- Healthier airflow for your household
- Less chance of the system failing during the dog days of summer
- A quieter system
Overall, whether to repair or replace depends on a number of different factors, such as the age of your sir conditioner, its overall performance, and the cost of repairs. If you need help deciding, the opinion of HVAC professionals can be helpful. Contact our team at Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air to review your AC repair and installation options in Santa Barbara, CA.
