What to Look at Before Ac Unit Replacement
AC Replacement
Your air conditioner has issues running – it won’t start right up, or it won’t cool your home. Is it time to replace it, or just repair it? This is a question that you will need to consider before you buy a new unit. There are ways to see which is best for you.
There are many things that you should look at before you make your decision. You should look at different aspects of your unit and your home. These aspects will help you to decide what is best for you and your home.
There are many companies that you could go to for help in your decision. They can help to tell you whether you need ac units replacement or if you just need repair. You could call a technician out and they could help you decide.
This article will give you some things to look at before you make your decision. It will help you to make a knowledgeable decision. You can also do more research to find the information that you might need.
Things to Look at
- Age – Your ac unit should last you fifteen to twenty years. If your unit is within this age range, you might consider replacing it if it needs more than one costly repair. Buying a new unit could save you money in the long run if it is that old. It might also save you energy by buying a new one.
- Cost – If the cost of the repairs is going to be more than fifty percent of your air conditioner, you should probably replace it. This is true if you have one part to replace or many things that need fixed. If you add the age consideration in with the cost of repairs, you should replace the unit. The upfront cost of a new one will be saved with energy savings later.
- Maintenance – Have you been maintaining your ac on a regular basis? If not, there could be more issues than what you are seeing: https://www.hgtv.com/how-to/home-improvement/easy-steps-to-keep-your-air-conditioning-unit-running-smoothly. There could be many things going on that are causing the issues that you are seeing.
- Energy Efficiency – You should look at the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, to see how energy efficient your unit is. The higher the rating for the unit, the better. If you have a low rating, or no rating at all, it is probably time to replace it. Since 2015, the industry standards say that you should have a SEER of at least 14.
- Freon – Since 2020, the use of freon, or R22 or HCFC-22, has been phased out. Many air conditioners built before then still run on freon. If yours is one of these, you need to be aware of the fact that freon can no longer be made in the United States. It would be best if you replaced it with one that uses Puron, or R410A.
- System Match – Does your system match? In other words, does the inside unit match the outside unit? Some older homes have piecemeal units because the previous owners replaced one at a time and chose not to replace both at the same time. This can cause issues with the output of the ac and cause your home not to cool as well as it should.
- Comfort – How satisfied are you with your HVAC system? Is it keeping your home comfortable enough day by day? If not, you might want a more efficient system in your home. It might be time to replace your old system.
- Advances in Technology – Depending on the age of your system, there might have been some advances in technology since you last replaced it. These advances can cause your home to stay cooler and can help the unit work more efficiently. See here for some of the advancements. There have been many new technologies in the last ten years that make it more efficient.
- Rebates and Other Incentives – If you are leaning towards replacing your system, look for rebates and other incentives that will save you money. Many manufacturers offer these to encourage you to buy their brands. You should look at all the incentives that are offered in your area.
- Lifespan of Your Home – How long do you think you will stay in your home? If you are only going to be there for a short time, it might be wiser to repair your system. If you are staying there for at least another ten to fifteen years, it would be wiser for you to replace it completely. If you are selling your home, then it would depend on how old your system is.
Conclusion
There are many things that you need to look at to see if you want to repair or replace your air conditioner. You should look at age, maintenance, energy efficiency, and freon use, among other things to make your decision. All these will help you to decide which is best for you and your home.
