3 Savvy Ways to Determine If You Should Repair or Replace Your AC Unit

3 Savvy Ways to Determine If You Should Repair or Replace Your AC Unit

repair-ac One of the more common general HVAC
service questions is whether to replace or repair an air conditioner when it stops working.

Many general HVAC service questions are in regard to whether it’s a better idea to go for a repair or a replacement when the A/C quits working. There’s
a pretty simple way to look at this when your HVAC system is new: in nearly all cases, a repair makes more sense, because a newer system requires a
large investment—it shouldn’t require extensive repairs in the first place. One of the benefits of having a newer system is less need for repair.

However, when the HVAC system is older, it may be time to strongly consider a replacement. Older models tend to be less energy
efficient and require repairs regularly to continue running. When you feel like you are constantly putting money into your older HVAC system or breaking
your budget on repairs, a replacement may make the most financial sense.

Other than the age of your system, here are three other ways to determine if a repair or replacement is best for your HVAC situation:

#1: Cost of Electricity

If you live in an area where the cost of electricity is high, it might make more sense to replace rather than repair an old air conditioner. This is because
when the cost of electricity is high, every kilowatt hour you can save will be worth more. For example, if electricity costs 10 cents per kilowatt-hour,
it will take twice as long to make back your money on a new, more energy efficient air conditioner than if electricity costs 20 cents per kilowatt-hour.

#2: Size of Your Budget

This sounds pretty obvious, but it’s also one of the most important factors to consider. It doesn’t matter how much nicer or more efficient a new air conditioner
is if you can’t afford to buy one. If you only have $500 to spend and a repair costs $400 while a replacement cost $2,000, the decision of what to
do may seem straightforward. However, it’s important to keep in mind that many HVAC companies offer financing to help those working with a tight budget.
Talk to a trusted HVAC expert before forking over money repeatedly for repairs just because you don’t have the money on hand to buy a new one.

#3: Time Involved to Repair or Replace

The time it takes to complete a repair versus install a replacement can be an important factor as well. If it’s in the middle of a heat wave and you have
hardwood floors in your home, you may not be able to wait several weeks until an HVAC contractor can complete a replacement of a central air conditioning
unit. In this situation, you may have no choice but to go with a repair and plan for a replacement at a later time.

To ask any additional general HVAC service questions concerning repairs or replacements, feel free to reach out to our expert team at McCall’s Supply, Inc.