Air Conditioner: Whether to Replace or Repair

Posted on

If your air conditioner is no longer keeping you cool the way it used to, it could be time you thought of buying another one instead of repairing it. Check out the following factors before buying a new one.

Age of Your Air Conditioner

Repairing your system won't be worth the expense if it is more than eight years. Unless if the main problem is a worn fan belt or debris that has clogged the condenser unit. You can still weigh whether your decision to repair or replace is good by reaching out to your technician who will not only assess the current condition of your unit but also the ducts that delivers cool air and the quality of your house's insulation. Doing that, can increase the effectiveness of your unit rather than buying a new one.

Efficiency of Your Current Unit

In case your current unit is 10 years and above, consider buying one that's energy-efficient. A lot of air conditioner technicians usually recommend replacing units that are more than 15 years. This is due to the fact that the average lifespan of these units is 14 years. Should your air conditioner require additional refrigerant, this could be a sign that there's a coolant leak. Thus, the cost of repairing a leak, replacing a compressor and adding refrigerant can amount to the cost of buying a new unit.

Check the Ductwork's Condition

Your technician should be able to perform a duct-leakage test before you decide to upgrade the condenser and blower units. He should do this by measuring the amount of air escaping through the system after sealing the vents. Should he find the ducts to be inefficient, he should locate then seal the gaps. Alternatively, he can replace the ductwork with a new pipe that's insulated.

Check the Building Envelope

In case your house is not insulated properly, it could be straining your old system. Therefore, resolving the flaws of your house will ensure your aging system has enough cooling power that will enable it to continue doing the job for a few years. It could also enable you to buy a replacement system that is smaller hence lowering your escalating energy costs. Your technician should be able to upgrade the building envelope by sealing cracks and gaps that are in the outer walls. Another option for him, is to blow insulation into the cracks.

Ensure the Size of the New Unit is Right

Go for big units since they dehumidify the air effectively after considering the attic's configuration, number of windows your house has, orientation of the building to the sun and thickness of insulation.

Finally, if you frequently make repairs and your electricity bills are high, it could be time you replaced your unit. However, you don't have to replace it if your bills are low and the unit shows no leaks. For more information, contact companies like ACSIS Airconditioning Warehouse.


Share