Installing a new air conditioner is a large investment that a homeowner must make periodically to maintain comfort and efficiency in the home. However, many people would rather postpone making that financial commitment for as long as possible, given the expense. In many cases, with proper maintenance and regular AC repair service, you can extend the lifespan of your air conditioner and avoid frequent bouts of emergency AC repair in Duluth, GA.
Even with proper maintenance and repair by professional technicians, no AC unit will last forever. There will come a time when, like all machines, patching it up and extending its diminishing life no longer makes sense. But how does the average homeowner know when to pull the plug on an old unit and move forward with installing a new one? There are some telltale signs and factors that can help you determine when to retire a unit and replace it instead of continuing to repair it. Keep reading to learn whether you should repair or replace your AC.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” global_colors_info=”{}”]System Age
The first indicator that your AC unit is nearing the end of its service life is its age. Considering the frequent use and heavy workload that most AC units are called upon to endure, it’s a wonder that they are so reliable and perform as admirably as they do. If you think about how many hours a day your AC runs and multiply that times the number of days in the week, weeks in the year, and years in the average lifespan of an AC unit, it’s remarkable that they don’t experience more problems. That said, like all machines, your AC will experience diminished performance and efficiency, and will one day fail. If your unit is more than ten years old, it’s time to start thinking about replacement rather than continued repair.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://triadmechanical.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/triad-mechanical_-know-whether-you-should-repair-or-replace-your-480×320-1.jpeg” title_text=”triad-mechanical_-know-whether-you-should-repair-or-replace-your-480×320″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.10.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Frequency of Repairs
Sure, replacing an air conditioner is expensive. It’s one of the largest single investments that a homeowner will be asked to make. However, AC repairs aren’t necessarily cheap, particularly when they begin to add up over time. The older your unit gets, the more parts become worn, efficiency decreases, and the worse your unit performs. This can lead to a cascade of frequent repairs that can take a chunk out of your budget. When repair frequency escalates, it’s time to consider replacing your old unit with a newer model, as doing so can limit your exposure to increasing repair costs.
Diminished Efficiency
Given the amount of time that your AC runs during peak seasons of use, it’s important that it operates as efficiently as possible to keep your energy bills affordable and reduce wear on the system. As a system ages and components become worn, they begin a cascade effect that impacts the performance and efficiency of your unit. If your system doesn’t cool as efficiently, it will run more often, which will use more energy and drive your energy bills up. If you have an older unit, the installation of a newer model could save you as much as $200 per year in reduced energy usage thanks to energy efficiency features that weren’t available in the previous decade. If you’ve noticed that your power bills are creeping higher, it’s time to consider replacing your aging unit with a new one.
If you have an AC unit that’s over ten years old, you’re experiencing decreased efficiency, or you have experienced the need for more frequent air conditioning repair in Duluth, GA, you should consider replacing your older unit instead of repairing it. If your system is less than ten years old, your repairs bills are minimal, and your unit still performs efficiently, it may be wise to opt for repair and delay replacement a little longer. To learn more about deciding when to replace instead of repair your AC unit, contact Triad Mechanical at (770) 682-0075.