When your air conditioner in Bloomfield stops working, it can be tricky to know if it’s time for an AC repair, or if a replacement would be a smarter option for the future. The answer isn’t identical for every homeowner. For instance, a system that has been serviced regularly could be a realistic candidate for an AC repair because it will generally have a longer lifetime than another system that hasn’t been maintained. Many other factors should be thought about on top of to this. We’ve got some questions that can help guide you.
How old is your system and how often are you repairing it?
The age of your air conditioner is a large factor in your verdict to call for an AC repair or invest in a replacement. Older systems usually don’t function as effectively as they did when they were new—and definitely not as effectively as a new, energy-efficient model. In fact, you could decrease your energy consumption by more than you may know if you swap out your outdated system with a new, energy-efficient unit. In many circumstances, this savings will rationalize investment in a replacement system.
So how old is “too old”? That can change based on your particular equipment and how well it’s been maintained, but Energy Star advises upgrading to an energy-efficient unit if your present-day central air conditioner is more than 10 years old.
Past your unit’s age, check out your AC repair history. If your system has broken down several times, it’s prone to stop working again—this situation can end up costing you more money in the long run. When you consider likely rebates and enhanced efficiency, is a new system going to be more economical in the end?
Many professionals suggest following “The $5,000” rule. Multiply the age of your unit by the cost of the AC repair. If it’s more than $5,000, exchange the system. If it’s less, try the repair.
Here are some other questions you should consider:
- Is your house comfortable enough in the summer? If not, your system isn’t keeping up.
- Are your energy bills spiking without increased usage? This is a sign that your air conditioner is breaking down.
- Is your system properly sized? If your system is too small for your home, it can’t function properly. Just the same, if you’ve not long ago taken measures to make your home more energy efficient, your system can actually be bigger than you need to cool a very efficient home.
If you’re not positive if you need an AC repair or if it’s time to get a replacement, Stanford Heating & Cooling can help! Our specialists can help you establish how much life is left in your system and what the ideal option for your home and budget will be. Call us at 812-825-8695 to setup an appointment for us to come out.