If you live in Houston, you already know the value of an air conditioner, but when your cooling system seems sluggish it has many of you asking, “Should I replace or repair my air conditioning unit?” An air conditioning unit is an important investment for your home or business and well-being, so knowing when to repair it and when to replace it are critical for keeping you cool. By understanding the benefits and considerations of a repair verses a new unit, you can have more confidence in your final decision.
Get to Know Your Air Conditioning Unit
The foundation of the question, “Should I replace or repair my air conditioning unit?” can be found partially in how well a home or business knows their air conditioning unit. There are three main points to consider if your HVAC system is sluggish:
Irregularities
Even though air conditioners often run quietly in the background of most Houston homes and businesses in the summer, it is not unusual for people indoors to notice irregularities such as the unit running longer than normal to get to a desired temperature, or strange noises and smells coming from the unit.
Humidity
A system should run with minimal humidity inside a home or business. If you have a thermostat that measures the humidity of the air inside and it is higher than normal, it may be a sign that the air conditioning unit is starting to wear down or needs maintenance.
Life of the System
Most cooling systems are designed to last up to fifteen years, but it is not uncommon for some parts to wear or fail in the meantime. The age of an air conditioner may help determine if replacing or repairing the unit is better.
Repairing an Air Conditioning Unit
Repairing an air conditioning unit should be handled by a trusted and reputable service provider. There are times when a repair may be more cost-effective and reasonable than the replacement of an entire system.
Benefits of repairing an air conditioning unit may be:
Money saved
If repairing a part is what is truly best for the system, it can also be a money saver compared to splurging for a whole new unit.
Increased longevity of the system
Repairing a part may also potentially extend the life of a system several more months to years, which can allow time to budget for a system replacement down the line.
An important consideration for repairing a system should include efficiency. If a repair will allow a system to run more competently for an extended period of time, it can be worth it. A repair that is not guaranteed to buy you more than a few weeks or a month may not be worth it. The money spent on that part could have gone towards the new unit instead.
Replacing an Air Conditioning Unit
Replacing an HVAC unit generally means replacing the entire system. While this can be a bigger expense up front, it may provide you with more peace of mind and comfort in the long run than waiting for another part to break and being without cool air.
Some of the benefits of replacing an air conditioner unit rather than repairing it may include:
It may save you money
It can seem like a lot of money up front, but when you compare it to the nickel and diming that can take place from constantly replacing parts it may save you money in the long run. Investing in a new system now could keep you from paying for a long list of expensive repairs.
Lower energy bills
If your system is struggling to make the air cooler, it is likely running for longer periods of time, which can in turn make energy bills go up. Replacing the unit should make a new system more efficient, allowing it to potentially lower energy bills related to the prior faulty system.
When replacing an air conditioning unit, it is also important to consider the following:
- If you are noticing small irregularities, it can be a good idea to get ahead of the problem instead of facing it reactively. Scheduling the replacement of a new air conditioning unit before it goes out may save you money you would have had to pay for emergency service, and it can keep you from going without air in the interim.
- Planning for a replacement unit can also be more friendly to your budget than scrambling to pay a large, unexpected expense at once.
How A Maintenance Contract Can Be Beneficial
It is increasingly common for HVAC companies to offer maintenance contracts to their customers. This can be quite beneficial to customers as they may allow for perks such as priority service, discounted pricing, and scheduled service reminders.
In addition, the servicing company typically keeps detailed records of a home or business’ HVAC maintenance visits and repairs. This history can be instrumental in guiding customers toward the right decision if they are wondering if they should repair or replace their air conditioning unit.
Choosing the Right Provider
When seeking assistance with your air conditioning needs, one of the best things an individual or business can do is find an experienced and reputable provider they feel they can trust. Throughout the life of your system, it is likely repairs will be needed at some point. Consumers can have more peace of mind if they trust that their service provider is being honest and acting in their best interest.
If you are concerned that your air conditioning system is not working as efficiently as it used to and may need to be repaired or replaced, consider calling the professionals at American Services today to see how we can be of service.