Air Conditioner Repair: 10 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Repairing or Replacing Your Air Conditioner | Rockwall, TX
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A reliable AC introduces a lot of modern conveniences and is now almost considered a must-have for every household. Whether during the Rockwall, TX, hot summers, or chilly winter, you need an AC. However, like every other appliance, an HVAC system often has problems that can either be fixed or need a complete replacement. An AC repair technician can inspect and tell you whether it would be best to repair or replace your AC unit. The final decision is still yours.
Before you can make a decision, here are several factors you should consider:
How old is your current system?
It would interest you to know that the average lifespan of an air conditioner is between 15 to 20 years in Rockwall, TX, and the US in general. The units are exposed to high humidity levels reducing their life expectancy to a certain level. Other than the conditions in your living space, other factors that may affect the life of your AC include how well you maintain your unit and the quality of the system and installation. The general rule, however, is that an AC system should be replaced after ten years.
Is the AC unit well maintained?
Have you been carrying out routine maintenance? A well-maintained AC unit directly impacts the unit’s life expectancy, efficiency, and reliability. Most air conditioner repairs can be avoided by simply keeping up with routine maintenance. Some of the things you could do include:
- Ensure there are no plants and debris around your outdoor AC unit.
- Change the filters every one to three months
- Get in touch with K&S Heating & Air for yearly tune-ups
Poor maintenance may lead to the need for a replacement unit rather than a quick air conditioner repair.
How expensive and extensive is the repair?
What kind of air conditioner repair? Do you need something minor or major? Often the cost of a repair isn’t high enough to consider a replacement. However, if the AC unit is over ten years old, the estimated costs could rack up to 50% of the unit’s value, making replacement a more viable option.
It would help if you also considered how often your AC unit has needed repairs. Is it too often, or has the unit been running seamlessly? If the air conditioner repairs have been too many, it may be time to consider investing in a new unit or system.
Is your air conditioner efficient?
The SEER rating determines your air conditioner’s efficiency. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio lets you know how efficiently your unit is performing. The higher the rating, the less energy it consumes. The SEER rating is predicted to increase to a minimum level of 15 in 2023, and currently, AC units have a SEER ranging between 14 to 25.
As your AC unit ages, its efficiency also reduces. To increase your energy savings and protect the environment, you need to upgrade to a system with a higher SEER rating.
What refrigerant is your air conditioner running on?
As of 1st January 2020, Freon, which is also known as HCFC-22 or R22, was officially phased out. This means the refrigerant will be harder to find and more expensive to obtain. One of the main problems that remain is that most old air conditioners still use this obsolete refrigerant.
Currently, we have adopted Puron, also known as R410A, since it is more eco-friendly. If your AC unit was installed before 2010, you are likely still using R22 and may need to consider a replacement. Get in touch with an air conditioner repair technician who can best advise you.
Does your current system meet your home comfort needs?
If, before an air conditioner repair, your system has not been cooling evenly, struggling to keep up with your living space’s needs, leading to high energy bills or poorly dehumidifying, it may be time to consider a replacement. Your system may either be mismatched or undersized. You may also be up for the newer home comforts innovations such as variable speed technology or zoning system.
Is your system matched?
If you have had your system replaced, did you separately replace the indoor unit or outdoor unit? It may seem logical, especially if you have a split system that is still functional. Initially, this may even save you on energy bills. However, replacing only the air handler or condenser will result in mismatched equipment. Down the road, the mismatched parts are bound to cause trouble and even possibly void the warranty on a new component.
Ideally, it is advisable to consider replacing the unit with a matched system.
Could you benefit from new technology?
Air conditioning technology has made great strides in recent times. This means that you could be up for some newly founded innovations within your needs and budget. You would greatly benefit from some brilliant technology advances, including a two-stage variable speed tech that enables you to accurately control humidity and temperature. There are also design innovations that can make your system quieter introducing back some peace in your living space.
Are there incentives or rebates available?
The local government, power companies, and HVAC manufacturers occasionally offer incentives and rebates to purchase a higher-efficiency AC unit. Be sure to ask your air conditioner repair technician if they know of any such programs being offered. They can help you save hundreds and even up to thousands of dollars on a new AC purchase.
How long do you plan to live in the space?
If you are planning to move soon, you may not be around to enjoy the benefits of a new AC unit. In such cases, air conditioner repairs are preferable as long your unit is generally reliable, and the repairs aren’t too extensive.
However, if you intend to sell your home, an air conditioner replacement could significantly increase the marketability of your home.
These questions are intended to guide you to make an informed decision. At K&S Heating & Air, we are the premium heating and air conditioning experts in Rockwall, TX. We offer services that cover all air conditioning models and our services are available 24/7 at your convenience. Our air conditioner repair technicians are dedicated to ensuring your system always runs smoothly. Get in touch with us today for more information about our services