Air conditioners can last upwards of 20 years if they are properly cared for and receive routine maintenance. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with homes having various owners over the years and air conditioners reaping the effects of different caretakers. There comes a point when calling the service technician for yet another problem becomes tiring and you have to question if it’s worth the repair or if it’s time to replace your A/C.
If you’re on the fence about replacing your air conditioner, follow this guide to see what the experts at Air Experts recommend for your home.
Your Air Conditioner is Too Old to Fix
Your air conditioner will easily last up to 15 years if it has had routine maintenance, but after 15 years air conditioners typically begin to cause problems that are too costly to fix. How do you know if your air conditioner has reached the age of no repairs? A/C experts have developed an equation to act as a guideline for homeowners who are facing this dilemma, it’s called the 5,000 rule. Here’s how it works:
- Multiply the age of your A/C unit by the cost of repairs.
- If the result is less than $5,000 then it can be repaired.
- If the result is more than $5,000 then it should be replaced.
For example, if your unit is 10 years old and the repair will cost $300 then multiply 10 x 300 to equal $3,000, so you should consider a repair instead of a replacement. On the other hand if your air conditioner is 12 years old and the repair will cost $500 then 12 x 500 equating to $6,000 will exceed the ‘$5,000’ guideline so you should definitely consider replacing your air conditioner.
It Still Requires R-22 Refrigerant
In an effort to conserve and protect the ozone layer, the Montreal Protocol demanded for the phasing out of R-22. By 2020, R-22 (Freon) will yield production completely. This means that the costs of repairing a refrigerant leak are only becoming more costly as prices of R-22 are on a steady incline while supplies become limited. If your air conditioner needs additional refrigerant it means that there is a leak that needs to be fixed. If the leak is not fixed in time, the compressor will eventually go out which is not a cheap fix. If your air conditioner is still using R-22 it’s time to look into a new A/C unit that uses an environmentally friendly refrigerant to save you money in the long run.
Your Utility Bills are Above-Average
If you are tired of your neighbor bragging about their low utility bills and wondering why yours doesn’t match up with theirs it may be the result of your inefficient air conditioner. New air conditioners are built to function more efficiently with higher SEER ratings to save you money on utilities. As of 2006, a law passed requiring all AC units to have a minimum SEER rating of 13. Units sold prior to 2006 have SEER ratings as low as 6! Find out more about which SEER rating is right for your home below.
Air Conditioner Replacement
Whether your air conditioner needs maintenance or if you are on the lookout for a new system, the skilled technicians at Air Experts have the experience to provide you with the best services for your home.