When Should I Replace My A/C?
“Knowing When To Replace & How To Choose The Best System”
This is a tough decision most homeowners face, especially when purchasing and/or selling a home. Unfortunately, it can be a very costly investment, so it’s always best to do your research, and ask as many questions as possible.
When it comes to the air conditioning, there’s more than likely 1 of 2 scenarios that arise; A) Is it worth it to just repair my A/C? Or, B) Should I replace my A/C? How to decide, that’s the tricky part, but we are here to help. There are several factors that should go into the purchase of a new air conditioner, we will list them below….
Type of Refrigerant: This is actually in reference to the outdated R-22 refrigerant. If the system in your home was before 2010, more than likely, you have an R-22 unit. The problem here is, the EPA is phasing out this refrigerant, and it will be obsolete by the year 2020. The other issue here is cost. With it being such a supply and demand issue, the price of R-22 will continue to skyrocket. If you’re facing a costly repair, and you have an R-22 unit, that would be the best time to start considering replacement options.
Lifespan – Is there any warranty left? This is important to know, mainly for two reasons; 1) Saves you money. 2) Gives you time. The lifespan and condition of the unit is a key part, mainly because these units, if maintained well, can last up to 10, 15 or even 20 years. Most units, if registered, will have a 10 year warranty, so that’s usually a pretty good indication that the manufacturer is willing to guarantee the performance of that system for up to 10 years. Once you start getting past the 10 year mark, that is generally the time to start thinking about investing in a new system. An older unit, even though it may be “functioning”, it could be working harder than it needs to, which can lead to other costly repairs.
Repair vs Replacement: Not a very fun decision to make, right? This is another question most homeowners face, and it’s also a very important one, because you certainly don’t want to invest your money into something that will have future issues. First and foremost, it really comes down to the cost of the repair. Replacing a capacitor, or having a coil cleaning, those are repairs that can certainly be affordable. However, when you start getting into costly repairs such as, replacing the compressor, or replacing the coil due to a leak, that’s the time you want to sit down and maybe consider investing in a replacement.
Choosing the “right” system for your home: Major game changer. Choosing which system you want installed in your home is essentially a 10 year investment. It’s absolutely crucial that you do your research. A lot of factors go into this decision; the type of home, how well is it insulated, the condition of the duct work, etc… Choosing the right brand is a major component. More importantly, the efficiency of the unit. These are definitely things to consider when purchasing a new system.
The Cother Team is here to help. The decision making process of a new air conditioner can be very overwhelming. However, you are not alone in this process. Here at Cother, we pride ourselves in going the extra mile for our customers. We plan on continuing that tradition. Give us a call today (713)-944-5500 and ask about our 0% Financing Promotion we have going on, you won’t be disappointed!
