Has your AC unit been breaking down a lot in the past year? Are you wondering if it is now time to replace it?
One of the most reliable ways to tell if you should repair or replace your AC unit is to go by its age. Generally speaking, if it’s between 10 and 15 years old, then the time to replace it has come.
However, if you’d like a true diagnosis before you pull the plug, give our technicians at Ambient Edge a call. We can diagnose the problem in no time and confirm whether you should repair or replace your AC unit.
How to Decide Whether or Not to Replace Your Air Conditioner
Figuring out if it would be better for you to repair or replace your air conditioning unit is fairly simple. Here are three easy steps you can take to determine whether or not it’s time to invest in a new AC:
- Find out how much a new unit will cost: First, you’ll want to contact your local HVAC repair and replacement company to get a free quote. Ask them for a price estimate on a new air conditioner installation.
- Review your utility bills: Once you’ve received an AC installation quote from your local HVAC service, find your utility bills from the past year. Compare your utility expenses for the months you’ve used your AC with utility costs for months you haven’t used your AC to give you a ballpark idea of how much your AC is costing you to run and how much it will cost in the future.
- Add estimated repair costs: Your local HVAC company can also give you an estimate on the repairs your AC will need in the future.
Once you’ve completed these steps, add your future repair estimates and your projected cost to power your AC. If this number exceeds the AC installation quote provided by your local HVAC company, investing in a new air conditioner is the more cost-effective route.
Signs that Your AC Unit Needs to Be Replaced
You’ll notice several signs if your AC unit needs to be replaced. If you notice any of the following signs, you’ll want to contact your local HVAC service to schedule a replacement air conditioner installation:
Frequent Repairs
An AC unit is like a car in that if you’re dumping as much money into repairing it as you would in monthly payments for a new one, then it’s time for an upgrade. However, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether it’s more cost-effective to repair or replace your AC unit.
Call your local HVAC repair service if you’re unsure whether it’s time to invest in a new unit. They’ll be able to come to your home and diagnose your AC unit. The tests they conduct will help you determine if it’s time to replace your unit or if it would be cheaper to repair it and keep it running for another year.
Rising Utility Bills
Another way to tell whether it’s time to replace your AC unit is if you see your energy bills continuing to climb every month and you can’t think of a valid reason why. Chances are good that one of your appliances, probably your AC if it’s the warmer months, is using more energy than it would otherwise need to in order to perform the same functions.
So, while replacing the unit may cost a bit upfront, it will save you hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of dollars in the future on your improved utility bills. We recommend choosing an energy-efficient model to get the most out of your new unit. Your local HVAC service can recommend an EnergyStar-approved unit that’s guaranteed to lower your energy expenses.
Struggling AC Unit
As climate change warms the world, you may find that older air conditioners have difficulty keeping your house as cool as they once did. This is because most homes built before the year 2000 do not have the insulation necessary to stay cool for an extended period of time. As a result, your AC unit now has to do extra work to cool the house down.
If you find that your unit is struggling to meet the demands of your home, it might be time to consider replacing your air conditioner. Replacing your AC unit means you will be investing in a unit that has improved technology to handle the constant warmer temperatures, especially if you live in an area where the weather is warm year-round.
Strange Noises
If you’ve heard strange noises coming from your air conditioning unit, it may be a sign that you need to replace it. Squeaking, banging, rattling, and grinding noises indicate an AC coil issue, which warrants replacement.
Benefits of Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit
If you find that it’s time to replace your old air conditioning unit, there are a lot of benefits you’ll enjoy once your new AC is installed. Here are some of the advantages you can expect from installing a new air conditioner:
Consistent Cooling
Aging AC units usually have a hard time cooling every room in your house. A new air conditioner will evenly cool your entire home, protecting each room from extreme summer temperatures.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Sometimes, one of the best reasons to replace your AC unit, rather than repair it, is to improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioner. Technology is improving all the time. As a result, you can certainly improve the energy output of your unit by investing in a new one.
Not only is this better for the environment, but it’s also better for your energy bills.
Add Value to Your Home
Investing in a new air conditioner now could help to boost your home’s value. If you plan to sell your home or refinance it at any time in the near future, this is an important reason to upgrade now instead of waiting. It also gives you long-term peace of mind knowing your home is working at its best.
Improved Air Quality
Newer air conditioners can help to improve the air quality in your home. This is an important investment for those with respiratory complications, such as asthma or allergies. However, it is beneficial to most people.
Let our team help you determine if a new system could help you breathe a bit easier.
Reduce Mold and Mildew Risks
If your home’s air conditioner is not working the way it should, that can lead to numerous complications in the home, including an increased risk of mold and mildew growth. That occurs if the moisture level in the air becomes too high and the temperatures are uneven. If your system is not working to remove that excess humidity, your home is at risk, and that means complications to your health and your home’s overall safety.
Additional Benefits
Newer AC units are designed with appearance in mind, so your new AC will probably be much easier on the eyes. You also won’t have to deal with the loud and strange noises your old unit used to make, as new air conditioners run fairly quietly.
Preventative Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Expensive AC Repairs and Replacements
Preventative maintenance can help you avoid expensive repairs and replacements. During a preventative maintenance visit, your HVAC technician will evaluate the condition of your AC unit and make small repairs and tune-ups.
The adjustments your technician makes will help your air conditioner run efficiently and properly. Compared to the price of an AC replacement, hiring a local HVAC company to perform preventative maintenance is incredibly inexpensive and sure to save you a great deal of money down the road.
How to Save Money While Installing a New Air Conditioner
There are many situations where the best decision is to invest in a new air conditioner. If that is the case, you should not avoid doing so. However, you also do not have to overspend to get your system installed.
- Consider investing in an energy-efficient air conditioner as a starting point. You may be able to benefit from available energy-efficient upgrade tax breaks, lowering your tax obligations for the year.
- Talk to our team about available savings opportunities. We often offer discounts and sales on our various systems, including air conditioners.
- With our flat rate pricing, there is no guessing about the costs or any added challenges you have to manage. Rather, you know exactly what you need to pay, and we ensure that the estimates we provide to you are always as accurate as possible.
- If you are facing the need for a new air conditioner, let our team know what your concerns are. We will help you navigate the process, including helping you to choose an affordable system that can provide for your home’s needs.
We do not want to install an inferior system that ends up costing you money or requiring replacement too soon, though. Ask us about financing options that can also help you to get into your new air conditioner sooner. We make it as easy as possible for you to find out what a new system is going to cost you but also provide solutions for paying for it.
You can even apply for financing now, online, and count on having an answer right away. That can take the question out of paying for a new air conditioner.
We Can Help You Decide if It’s Time to Replace Your AC
The team at Ambient Edge can take a look at your current cooling unit and help you determine whether you should repair or replace your air conditioner. If we find that your AC is in decent condition and only needs a few repairs to run like new, we’ll make the necessary fixes.
If we find that your air conditioner is on its last leg, we can recommend a new unit that’s powerful enough to cool your entire home. Once we’ve found the right unit for you, our experienced technicians will install it without error. Contact us today to find out what we can do to keep your home cool!
