Is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?
The summer months often feature heat and humidity, so you’ll likely be running your air conditioner almost every day. However, like anything else in your home, you’ll need to maintain it to ensure that it runs properly. Despite your best efforts, there will come a time when you’ll need to replace the unit. There are a number of factors you need to consider to determine when that time will be. Let’s take a look at them.
How Old Is Your Air Conditioner?
When properly installed and maintained, an air conditioner will last for about a decade. Some cooling systems can last for 15 years, depending on the type of conditions they’re exposed to and other variables. Ultimately, if your cooling system was installed more than a decade ago, it likely needs to be replaced. The same might be true regardless of its age if the unit has suffered physical damage such as being hit by a tree.
You should also consider the fact that it’s often harder to find parts for older units. Therefore, even if you wanted to repair a cooling system installed in 2007, your technician might not have the means to do so. If items are available for older units, they may be harder to source, which means that you’ll pay more to get them.
What’s the Issue?
Assuming that the unit has some useful life left, it may be worthwhile to make minor repairs. For instance, if there is a frayed wire leading to the condenser unit, it may be a relatively easy fix for one of our HVAC technicians. A blown capacitor might also be an easy fix to keep your air conditioner running for months or years to come. However, if the issue is a more serious one, you might actually save money buying a new air conditioner instead of replacing a single part.
What’s Your Goal?
Repairing an older cooling system may make sense if you’re simply looking to buy time until it’s easier or more affordable to buy a new one. For instance, you might choose to replace the capacitor unit to get you through the rest of the summer. The following spring, you could then buy a new system to last for the next 10 to 15 years.
Older Systems Are Less Efficient
Let’s say that you can afford to repair your ailing air conditioner and don’t mind spending the money. In such a scenario, you may still benefit from buying a new appliance because it will be significantly more efficient than the one on your property today. Air conditioners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania must have a SEER2 rating of at least 14 in comparison to older units that might have a SEER rating closer to 10. Although that doesn’t sound like a big difference, it represents a steep reduction in energy usage and monthly utility bills.
Older Systems Are Less Reliable
As your air conditioning system gets older, it will be more vulnerable to physical damage and other issues. Therefore, you’re more likely to have to call a technician on more than one occasion to keep it going. Over time, even minor projects start to add up and become more expensive than simply replacing your current system.
What’s more, it can be frustrating to go several hours or days without cool and dry air in your house. Ultimately, you can keep your cool while helping your house stay cool by purchasing a reliable and efficient system.
Do You Have a Warranty or Service Guarantee?
If your cooling system is covered by a warranty or some other guarantee, it may make sense to have it repaired instead of replaced. However, most systems are beyond their warranty period by the time they go bad. In some cases, the warranty might be voided if you fail to your air conditioner maintained by professionals or if you use it outside of its intended purpose. It’s always a good idea to buy something that will come with a warranty.
Our HVAC company has been keeping customers in Southern New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia happy since 1986. Along with your cooling system, we can help you with furnace installation and repair as well as heat pump installation to ensure that your home remains comfortable throughout the year.
If you are in need air conditioning repair or installation, contact our team at JAMCO Heating & Air Conditioning today.
