Do You Need Air Conditioner Repair or Replacement?

Air conditioner repair is sometimes necessary. Though this main system in the home will work for years, sometimes decades, repairs are no longer possible in some instances. In this case, making the decision to install a new system is often a good one. However, you should not base this on factors such as the age of the current system. Rather, you should be able to get help from a trained technician who can provide you with more information and guidance about when to replace an existing system.

When Repairs Are Likely

In many cases, getting air conditioner repair is possible and probable. If the system is still within its warranty, then getting repairs is easy enough to do. Even those that are significantly older can still be fixed rather than replaced. If the system is maintained and all appropriate preventative maintenance steps are taken during its lifetime, the system is likely to need just updates or replacement of key components. However, repairs will not be good enough in some situations. That includes situations like the following.

Does the system require a very expensive replacement part? For example, if you need to replace the condensers or you need to replace the motor, it may be more cost effective in the long-term to replace the system. This is especially true when there are instances in which possible breakdowns are likely.

Is the system no longer efficient? Over time, the system may become harder to maintain and to keep running efficiently. If you are spending more on your energy bills to cool the home as you used to, it may be time to replace the system. Those systems older than 10 to 15 years are often less efficient than newer models.

Does the system no longer provide enough cooling for the home? If so, it may be a good idea to replace it. A system that is too small or one that is not properly working can become a risk for the home. Replacing it could save money in the long-term.

Overall, air conditioner repair is the first step. Discuss your needs for this with your technician. He or she will conduct a thorough inspection of the current system to determine what the problems are, if there are any, and then will offer recommendations about whether repairs or replacement is best. In some cases, newer models can pay for themselves over the short term by reducing energy consumption needs. However, if the repairs are simple and inexpensive, there is no need to think about replacing the system at this point. A technician can help you to know the difference.