AC Repair or Replace?

When your air-conditioning unit stops working, you have to make the decision whether to hire a tech to do AC repair or just replace the system. It can be expensive to buy a new air conditioner, but if a repair is only going to be a temporary band-aid fix to the problem, it may be wiser to invest in a new unit. If you’re faced with this dilemma during a hot summer day, your day of reckoning has come. Here are some things to consider when facing this choice:

- Prevention: First of all, if your household’s cooling system is still functioning, there are some steps to take to extend its life. The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is very true. Only with this cure, it might be hundreds of pounds, which is what a new unit may weigh. Put off purchasing a new cooler or repair with some preventative maintenance steps. Change the filters regularly. In order to remind yourself of this crucial but often forgotten chore, buy multiple filters in your size and keep them handy. Mark your calendar for every three months and on that date, change the filters. Another step in prevention is to keep the outside unit clean of debris, dust and bird droppings. Make certain that the cycles are set properly so that the system isn’t cycling too often which will wear out the machinery due to overworking.
- Air flow: If an AC unit isn’t cooling properly, it may just have a problem with its airflow. Make certain that there is a clear passageway for the airflow to circulate. If there is blockage, a simple adjustment or removal of the blocking culprit may have the home’s temperature chilled again.
- High utility bills: If a person’s bills suddenly spike through the roof, this may be a signal of something terribly wrong. A repair may help, but if the unit is quite old, it may be wiser to invest in a more efficient model.
- Age of the cooler: If the system is rusty, ancient and noisy, it may be time to replace it rather than repair it. Old and out-of-date equipment won’t do its job as efficiently as the newer models. Even though there will be an initial outlay of cash, every month of lower utility bills, efficient service and noise-free functioning will make it worthwhile.
- Government rebates: The government wants to save the planet just like the rest of us. For this reason, it is rewarding homeowners for moves that save natural resources such as energy. Energy efficient appliances are eligible for rebates as incentives to homeowners for pitching in to save the earth’s resources. Ask your HVAC dealer about the units that are green enough to warrant a cash back offer from the U.S. Government.

If your cooling system has gone belly up, take a look at airflow, cost of utility bills, the age of the system and whether government rebates sweeten the deal enough to purchase new. After going through this checklist, a homeowner should know whether to arrange for AC repair or replacement.