Check these factors before deciding whether your A/C needs to be repaired or replaced.
Consider the age of your A/C
Age is one of the most important factors to consider when it’s time to repair or replace an air conditioner, HVAC technicians say.
“We use a 5,000 rule,” says Brad Wentz, owner of Buckeye Heating & Cooling in Worthington, Ohio. “You take the age of the equipment and multiply that by the repair cost. If the number is more than $5,000, then you should consider a replacement. For example, a 10-year-old unit with a $350 repair equals $3,500. It’s OK to repair.”
Energy efficiency matters
Recent advances in A/C technology have greatly improved energy efficiency. Energy Star recommends upgrading to an energy-efficient unit if your current central air conditioner is 10 or more years old. Many HVAC technicians say they typically recommend replacing units if they are 15 years or older. Jeren Hamlin, the owner of Airtech Heating & Cooling in South St. Paul, Minnesota, says the average lifespan of an A/C unit is about 14 years.
R-22 can influence your options
If an A/C unit requires additional refrigerant, it signals there’s a coolant leak.
Topping off a system with R-22 refrigerant, known as Freon, costs as much as $40 to more than $175 per pound — which may also include the cost of the service call. Fixing the leak and putting in several pounds of refrigerant can cost $550 to $1,000, HVAC pros say.
“A unit that takes R-22 that develops a leak should probably be replaced,” Hamlin says. “Once you get a leak, the compressor (which can cost up to $2,000) will usually go out eventually.”
Repairing a leak, adding refrigerant and replacing a compressor can cost about the same as buying a new, low-end unit, Hamlin says.
R-22 prices, meanwhile, have soared in recent years due to the EPA’s eventual phaseout. HVAC manufacturers stopped making units charged with R-22 in 2010. Production of R-22 will end in 2020.
R-410A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant, will replace R-22.
Other factors affecting the repair/replace decision
Aside from the unit’s age, a few other signs can signal it’s time to replace your air conditioner, according to Energy Star. Consider how frequently you make repairs, whether your energy bills are rising or if your home is too hot in the summer.
“How long are you going to live in the house, and what are your utilities like?” Hamlin says. “If the unit is older and the repair is a couple of hundred dollars, it may not be worth fixing.”
If you do buy a new, energy-efficient A/C unit — which costs $3,600 to $7,200 — Energy Star estimates a 20 percent savings on heating and cooling costs.
On the other hand, some HVAC technicians say if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. If your system shows no leaks and your energy bills are low, Hamlin sees no reason to replace it.
To gauge the condition of your existing A/C, schedule an inspection with an HVAC technician.
Source: https://www.angieslist.com/articles/it-time-repair-or-replace-my-air-conditioner.htm
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