When your air conditioning system breaks down, the decision you’re then faced with is whether or not you should repair or replace your unit. While a new HVAC system can be a big investment, the costs of constant repairs on an old unit can also be expensive.
Here are the top five signs your air conditioning unit is past repair and it’s time to replace it.
- THE AIR CONDITIONER IS OVER 12 YEARS OLD
The typical lifespan of an air conditioning unit is 12 years. Now, if your air conditioner is 12 years old, it’s still running fine and you’re not experiencing any issues, there’s no problem yet. However, if your air conditioning unit is approaching 12 years and is breaking down, it’s in your best interest to replace the unit.
Not to mention, brands are constantly releasing new models containing greater advancements in energy efficiency. Therefore, if your air conditioner has reached the end of its lifespan, you can upgrade to a unit that is more energy efficient.
- THE UNIT EXPERIENCES FREQUENT BREAKDOWNS
If your A/C unit is frequently breaking down, it’s time to assess whether or not the costs of constant repairs are more expensive than the cost of a new unit. While tune-ups on your unit are not super expensive, if you’re having to call a repairman every couple months, those repairs will add up.
If this is the case, you need to ask yourself whether or not it makes sense to keep making repairs on an older air conditioning system.
- THE REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE
Going hand-in-hand with the point prior, some system repairs can be very expensive if there has been a lot of damage done or if there has not been regular maintenance completed on the unit. If you’re quoted a high price point for a big repair, it’s definitely worth looking into replacing your A/C unit instead.
If you’re going to be paying around the same price for repairs as you would for a new, more energy efficient air conditioner, it just makes sense to go ahead and upgrade.
- YOUR HOME HAS TEMPERATURE INCONSISTENCIES
Another sign it might be time to replace your air conditioner is if you are experiencing temperature inconsistencies in your home. For example, if it seems your air conditioner is always on fighting to keep your home cool or that your thermostat can’t seem to stay at a consistent temperature, it could be time for a new A/C unit.
- THERE’S BEEN AN INCREASE IN YOUR UTILITY BILL
Finally, it’s time to talk about your energy bill. If you’re seeing a big spike in your energy bills, this is a sign your air conditioner is having to remain on longer to keep your home cool. It’s not working efficiently to do it’s job.