We’ve all had that moment when our air conditioning system breaks down. We place a service call, and an HVAC professional promptly gives us a diagnosis and performs the repair. This seems like an affordable solution to the problem. However, after several repairs, you begin to wonder at some point whether it would be better to just replace the entire system.
High Desert homeowners live in a climate where their air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury. Apple Valley customers should consider these factors when deciding whether they should repair their current unit or replace the air conditioner entirely.
Should I Repair or Replace My AC Unit?
Think about how old your unit is and how much of its lifespan it has left. If your air conditioning unit is only 5 years old, it might be worth it to simply repair the system rather than to replace it all together. However, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal government departments, recommend that people replace units that are more than 10 years old. If your unit is considered an older model, it may not have much of a lifespan left. You will start spending more on repairs that will happen with greater frequency. It may be best to replace your unit at this time.
Consider the efficiency of your heating and air system. The older your unit is, the less efficient it will be. If your unit runs for long periods of time, or if it struggles to keep the air cool in your home, you might be paying significantly more than necessary each month in your utility bills.
If you feel that your unit is not running as efficiently as you would like, it might be time to replace it entirely. It’s an initial investment, but it will save you money in the long-term on your utility bills.
Note that the structure of your home may have an impact on how well your air conditioner works in the first place. The size of your home will also have an impact on your system, along with its structure. Homes without proper insulation will have AC units that cannot run as efficiently. It may be best to fix the issues with your home before deciding between a replacement unit or a repair.
At Elite Climate Control, we recommend that our customers consider how much they spend on repairs annually and determine if it would be more cost-effective to invest in a new unit. A new air conditioner will not only increase the comfort level of your home, but it will also be a more efficient unit that will cost less for you to operate. However, if you have a relatively new unit and you just need a simple repair, the cost to fix the unit may be more affordable than investing in an entirely new system.
Take the time today to consider whether or not you want to replace your air conditioning unit and have the new unit installed before it breaks down again on one of those warm, humid days.
