Deciding to replace your air conditioner is not an easy (or cheap) decision to make. As a homeowner, deciding when you get a new unit can be one of the toughest (and more expensive) decisions to face. Even though the cost of a new unit can be very expensive, the cost of repairs for an older unit can equally be expensive. Here are 5 signs that it may be time to consider replacing your air conditioner.
- Your home is no longer comfortable. Do you feel like your unit is constantly running to keep your home cool? This can be a sign that your unit is old and having to work very hard to maintain a certain temperature inside the home. If you are frequently uncomfortable, you should consider replacing your unit.
- Frequent Problems. Are you calling a repair service often? Does it feel like your air conditioner is constantly breaking down? Having a service technician come out and diagnose and repair can be expensive. This may be a sign that it’s time to invest in a new unit all together to reduce the repair costs and the headache of frequent breakdowns.
- You have an expensive repair quote. Did your technician tell you that your repair is very expensive? You’ll want to weigh the costs of the repair and the cost of a new unit. If there isn’t much difference, you may want to consider a new unit. You’ll not only be getting a more reliable unit, you’ll be getting a warranty that will give you peace of mind.
- Your unit has a low SEER rating. If your unit has a low SEER rating, it is costing you more to operate than a newer one with a higher rating would. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Any rating over 13 is a very good SEER rating. If you replace a unit that has a SEER rating of 8 for one that has a 14, you can also significantly reduce your monthly cost of cooling your home. That monthly savings can help justify the cost of a new unit.
- Your unit is more than 10 years old. If your air conditioner has been well maintained, it should last an average of 12 years. If you are looking at an expensive repair and your unit is more than 10 years old, it’s worth considering getting a new unity. You can also expect a new unit to be more energy efficient if yours is over 10 years old as there are many advancements made in technology over a ten year period.
At the end of the day, we want you to be comfortable in your own home and feel confident in your decision to repair or replace your air conditioner. If you have any questions at all about a repair or replacing your unit, give Coastal Home Services a call. One of our certified Trane® technicians can help you diagnose a problem and offer advice on when it may be time to replace your unit based on the 5 reasons listed above.
