AC Repair vs Replace: Which is right for you?
One of the toughest questions in all of HVAC to answer is whether you should complete an AC repair vs replace it. This debate applies to air conditioning units and other types of gear, although we are going to focus on AC in this article. The AC repair vs. replace debate has pros and cons on both sides, and each situation is different. We’ll aim to give you some sound advice in the article below, so you can think through this matter for yourself.
Of course, if you would like help from a professional as you make this decision, Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric is just a phone call away. We will take the time to get to know your situation and lean on our decades of experience to offer expert input. We look forward to serving you!
The 10 Year Rule
It’s helpful to think about your AC in terms of decades. For the first decade, you can rely on it for consistent performance. Sure, you’ll need to pay attention to how it is working and provide it with basic preventive maintenance along the way, but mostly, you can plan on the unit offering you excellent performance over that first 10 year stretch.
So, does that mean the air conditioner automatically gets replaced once 10 years are up? No – but that is a good time to pay closer attention and think about your next steps. If you notice you need more and more repairs after the ten-year mark, you may be approaching the stage where a replacement will be your best bet.
3 Key Questions
If you have some issues with your AC and are trying to decide is an AC repair or replace is the right option, the three questions listed below should help you make that choice with confidence.
- When was the unit installed? We covered this point above, but it’s the biggest key to this process, so it needs to be repeated here. If the installation date of your current AC unit is over 10 years in the past, lean toward the side of replacement. And, of course, as the age of the unit grows and grows, you’ll only lean harder in that direction. So, if you are looking at an air conditioner that is something like 15 or 20 years old, you’ll want to think about replacing it relatively quickly at any sign of trouble.
- How often are you calling for help? Frequently reaching out to Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric for repair work on your AC is a sure sign that something bigger needs to be done. We are happy to perform repair work on your system, but we don’t want you to spend more than necessary for ongoing repairs when a new unit might be the more efficient way to go.
- How’s the performance? Homeowners think of replacing an air conditioner only when it breaks down, but the old unit may not be working well anymore. If you notice your home isn’t really cooling down on those hot Texas summer days, new equipment will give you a boost in both performance and reliability. Therefore, a cut in monthly costs.
Reaching a Breaking Point
No one wants to reach into the budget to pay for a new AC unit, but you might find that you are pretty happy you did it. If you are tired of dealing with an AC system that only works sometimes – and doesn’t perform that well even when it is working – the best course of action will be to take the leap and have it replaced. Modern air conditioning equipment is a big step above what was on the market just a decade or two ago, so you’ll find you love the performance offered by new gear.
You don’t want to put off this conversation of AC repair vs replacement, regardless of which way it is going to go. Gather all the information you need as soon as possible so you can make a confident, strategic choice. Then reach out to Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric to find out how we can best serve you.
