Is it Cheaper to Repair or Replace an AC?

AC repair or replacement—which is cheaper? This is a common question among many people. However, this calls for one to weigh in several factors before making their ultimate decision. Ac units require regular maintenance, in addition to repairs and tune-ups for them to retain their efficiency. 

But, no matter the effort you put into keeping your system in good condition, there comes a time when repairs aren’t your option, and you need to replace the system. And, while a complete AC replacement can be expensive, you will need to determine whether replacing your system is much cheaper than repairs. 

In this post, we’ve put up a guide to assist you in determining whether it’s cheaper to repair or replace your AC. Read on for more information. 

Knowing when it’s repair vs. replacement time

The following are the signs that it’s time to contact your AC technician to evaluate your system. 

Age

When deliberating between repairs vs. replacement, the Department of Energy and EPA’s joint Energy Star rating program recommends homeowners to replace AC systems that are older than 10 years old. Although these systems still have a few years remaining in their lifeline, they are less energy-efficient and will cost you more money on your cooling bills. 

Repeated breakdowns

In case your current AC unit cannot perform optimally during the hottest months of the year, or you have been experiencing too many breakdowns recently, it’s time to replace your system. With time, the repair costs will accumulate, thus costing you more money than buying a new system. 

Noise

If your AC unit has to work harder to meet the cooling demands of your home, there’s a possibility that the system will get noisy or turn off unexpectedly. Establishing and observing regular maintenance programs can help to keep your system in a good condition, thus preventing some of these issues from happening. 

Uneven temperatures

The experts from Tampa appliance repair, Hartman say that if you notice that your AC unit has uneven temperatures, that’s an indication that you need to upgrade to a newer system. 

When is it cheaper to replace?

If you want to save money on repair costs

Now, if your AC is over 10 years old, and the repair costs are way over 50% of the entire cost of the system, you can save a lot of money if you choose to upgrade to a modern and more efficient air conditioner. Depending on your system’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), replacing your AC can save you up to 40% on your cooling cost. Please note that modern AC units come with upgraded technology, which offers increased efficiency, and thus, you will get to save a lot of money on your energy bills. 

Tax incentives

Apart from the energy-saving that can accumulate with time when you get a new air conditioning system, the availability of tax incentives and credits can save you close to 30% when buying a newer and energy-efficient system. So, if you are considering repair vs. replacement, make sure you look for the Energy Star label on your new AC. 

Warranty

Modern AC systems come with a warranty, and this can save you a lot of money in case your system breaks down, and you need repairs. 

The green benefits

The United States government, together with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have instructed AC manufacturers to do away with the R-22 refrigerant in a bit to protect the environment. Because of this, modern AC systems come with R-410A refrigerants, which not only helps to conserve the environment but also reduces the high costs of repairing older AC systems because the supplies of R-22 have become limited because of the phase-out. 

Convenience

With a new AC system, you don’t have to bear the heat of your home as you wait for a technician to come and repair your system or to look for hard-to-find replacement parts for your AC unit. 

Air quality and comfort

Modern AC units are more efficient when it comes to controlling the humidity and temperature in your home, and this reduces the chances of mold and mildew growth. Therefore, replacing your AC guarantees improved air quality and comfort in your home. 

When is it cheaper to repair?

The 50% rule

For modern or relatively new AC systems, there’s a higher chance that repairs are way cheaper than replacement. Therefore, if you realize that the cost of repairs vs. replacement is less than 50% of the value of your system, and you have not been scheduling monthly repairs for your system to stay up and running, then repairing your system is the cheapest option here. 

Relocating

If you are relocating from your current home and the AC system in your future home is still functioning, consult with your realtor to see if repairing your system would be the best option. If the system is functioning well, just call an AC technician to service it before moving in. 

Maintenance

In case your AC is sitting on the line—it’s neither new nor old, certain maintenance techniques can help to lengthen its lifespan, thus making instant replacement unnecessary. Therefore, consult with your technician to know the status of your system, and also to see how you can add a few more years to its lifespan. Doing so will save you money that you’d have used to buy a new system. 

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Christophe Rude
Christophe Rude
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