Air conditioners do a great job of helping our friends and neighbors beat the summer heat in the Spring Hill FL area, but even the best of them are prone to eventual failure. If your air conditioner needs a significant fix, you may be faced with the choice of whether to repair or replace your AC. Because air conditioners require frequent upkeep and consume a significant amount of power, making that choice is about more than the immediate cost of each option. Taking two kinds of costs into account will help you make the best decision for your home and budget.
Installation vs. Repair Costs
Though it is not your only concern when deciding whether to repair or replace your AC, the up-front cost of fixing versus replacing is a major consideration. With a detailed estimate from your dealer in hand, take a look at the price of the repair job and compare it to the price of purchasing a new machine. A repair will likely be less expensive than a full replacement, of course, but depending on the likely lifespan of your equipment that cost difference may not be enough to make fixing it worthwhile.
As a rule, air conditioners last 10 years from installation to replacement, though that varies somewhat depending on the model and the frequency and quality of maintenance. If you have had your AC unit for at least eight years, it is close enough to needing replacement anyway that all but the most minor repairs are not worthwhile. Conversely, a unit that is less than two years old is probably better repaired unless the issue is severe. With middle-aged units, if the cost of repairs is more than half the price of a replacement unit, starting over with a new machine is usually the better choice.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades
While the difference between up-front costs can be substantial, it is only part of the equation when choosing whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. A replacement machine may offer more energy-efficient operation than your old equipment could even if fully repaired, and over time, the energy savings may more than offset the cost of the upgrade. For instance, if the difference between the cost of a repair and the cost of a new system is $600, but the new system projects to save you $40 monthly, the replacement will pay for itself in as little as 15 months.
At Senica Air Conditioning, Inc., we know that residents of Spring Hill FL depend on their HVAC contractors to help keep their homes cool throughout the summer. If your current air conditioner breaks down, we will work with you to explore both repair and replacement options and help you make the best possible decision for your home, family and budget. Don’t hesitate to call and schedule a consultation with one of our air conditioning experts.
