There are many situations in which you will need to replace your whole air conditioner unit over the lifetime of owning your home.
One of the times when you may consider doing this is when your air conditioner compressor, which is the outside unit, no longer functions.
At Ambient Edge, when you call our team for AC repair in Las Vegas, NV, we will always provide upfront and fair insight into all of your options, including whether you should replace your AC compression or the whole unit.
Be Sure to Diagnose the Problem First
Before you consider either replacing the AC compressor or the whole unit, it is critical to actually know what is wrong with the system and get all aspects carefully inspected.
We highly recommend having our technicians out to diagnose the underlying cause of the problem since, most of the time, repairs, not replacement, are an option.
Our team will uncover all aspects of the AC compressor problems before offering replacement recommendations, including:
- The age of the system
- The overall problems you are having, such as non-functioning
- Efficiency related concerns
- Building codes and regulations based on the age of the system
- Your budget
- The ability to repair the system – sometimes it cannot be repaired at all
- The value of your home to replace or repair
Our team will look at all components of your system to determine what the underlying cause of the failure is. We will not tell you to replace the entire system unless we believe it is in your best interest to do so.
You can trust Ambient Edge to be honest and upfront with you about the reality of your situation, as the average cost to replace an AC compressor is $1,500.
Replacing the Whole Unit Is Often Beneficial
To be clear, there are some situations where replacing just the condenser is an option and could be the right solution for you. However, when you consider the age, wear and tear, and overall costs involved, it is often better to replace the whole AC unit than to just swap out the condenser.
There are a few key reasons for this:
- A big repair may help with the immediate need, but the system may still fail over the long term until you replace the entire thing.
- It may only cost a small amount more to replace the entire system than just the condenser, making it a financially wise decision.
- A new system comes with a long-term warranty, which means you do not have to worry about repairs again for a long time.
- If you just replace the condenser, you will likely still need repairs to the rest of the system throughout the coming years as it continues to age.
- Replacing the whole system can add value to your home, but just replacing the condenser is not a big selling point if you plan to sell the property later.
When you contact Ambient Edge, our team will come out to your home, provide a full inspection, determine what specific steps are necessary, and then offer recommendations.
We will not tell you to make changes that are not fundamentally best for your situation. We are ready to ensure that you get exactly what you need when it comes to taking care of your AC unit.
Consider the Cost to Replace an AC Compressor
One of the biggest factors in making the decision to replace an AC compressor is the cost. Most of the time, the goal is not to make just the cheapest decision – replacing just the compressor will cost less. Rather, consider the overall cost and the likelihood that you will need to make repairs in the future.
The cost of a compressor will range widely but tends to be around $1600 or more, sometimes much more. Factors such as the size and model type will play a role in this.
Size and overall installation needs will also be considered in terms of cost. Many times, AC compressor costs will be upwards of $2000 if the system offers high-end features.
By comparison, the average system that includes a condenser unit and the evaporator unit, which is the interior component of the system, will cost around $2500 to $2800.
This also comes with a long-term warranty in most cases. If you were to invest in an entirely new heating and air conditioning system, the cost would be around $4000 or more, so be sure to read our FAQs to find out more about this service.
Consider Whether Your Air Conditioner Is Under Warranty
Before you make the decision to replace the AC compressor or the whole system, you also need to think about whether or not the unit is under warranty.
When you contact Ambient Edge, our team will ask you these questions, and if you are not sure, we will look into the warranty on your system to determine if any components may still be protected. If so, that warranty could help cover most of your costs.
If the compressor is still covered under the warranty, the manufacturer will take care of the costs associated with the repair. That may include fixing or replacing the condenser itself, depending on the underlying cause. In situations where the compressor is under warranty, the manufacturer should bring it up to functional level again, eliminating your out-of-pocket cost.
If the compressor is no longer under warranty, you will have to cover the cost yourself. If that is prohibitive, be sure to ask our team about the financing options available for a new system.
Factor in the benefits of replacing the entire unit at this point, especially if the system is older or overall inefficient and needs to be replaced, and you can count on our satisfaction guarantee.
To Find Out What Your System Needs, Contact Our AC Team Today
No one wants to overpay for air conditioning repair services, especially if there is a way to reduce those costs.
At Ambient Edge, we take pride in offering our clients the highest level of care, and honestly, we will not tell you to replace your system unless it is necessary to do so. Contact Ambient Edge today.