Air conditioners: Repair Vs. Replacement in Orlando, FL
An air conditioner is an important appliance for homes and official settings. It is more important for hot and humid regions, where they are used almost round the year. The continuous use of any appliance can cause problems, and you need to maintain and repair it. When you buy a new air conditioner, it works well for a few years if you do proper servicing. However, sometimes when there are frequent problems, some technicians recommend replacing the unit while others insist on repairing it again. People get confused and don’t know how to decide whether they should repair or replace their appliances.
Usually, people play according to their budget. If they can afford it, they will replace the unit as soon as it starts causing frequent troubles. However, if they cannot afford it they will keep repairing it. However, if you keep repairing the unit, the energy cost will increase with time, and you will pay high electricity bills. On the other hand, if repairing is enough and you replace the unit, it will be nothing but a waste of money. So, you have to wisely decide if you need to repair your air conditioner or if replacement is inevitable.
We have collected a list of questions that you need to ask yourself. These questions will help you decide whether the repair is sufficient or replacement is the right solution.
Which coolant is used in your air conditioner?
All cooling appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators use coolant for proper functioning. R – 22 is the coolant that is commonly used in air conditioners. However, now the production of this chemical was stopped, as it was very harmful to the environment. The production and import of this chemical will be stopped in 2020. If your air conditioner is not working properly, one reason can be the coolant leakage, and to fix the problem, it must be refilled. If your air conditioner has R – 22 as coolant, it is very expensive now, as the production is stopped and stock is limited. So, in this case, a good decision is to replace the unit and buy a new one. New systems have another coolant that is easily available and cheaper. A professional HVAC expert can tell you about the type of coolant in your system, or you can read the detailed guidebook to get this information.
How frequently do you need to repair it?
Another reason to think about replacement is the frequent repairing needs of air conditioners. If you keep your system well maintained, sometimes repair will not be sufficient. If the repair is about minor electrical issues or problems in a certain part of the system, a repair can be the right solution. However, replacement might be the right choice if a portion of the system fails to operate, such as a compressor. The repair is very expensive in such cases, but expert technicians can guide you better.
What is the age of your air conditioner?
The age of a system is an important factor in deciding whether the repair is sufficient or replacement is necessary. The average age of air conditioning units is usually 10 – 15 years. Careful use and proper maintenance can extend this life to a few more years. New units have more features as compared to old ones. For instance, features like air quality, carrying capacity, and zoning were not found in old air conditioning systems.
If your system is more than 10 years old and you have not maintained it well, replacement is good. However, if you purchased it a few years ago, and it is causing problems, you can ask the technician for repair. However, it again depends on maintenance. If you have maintained your unit, you can get it repaired even after 10 years, unless you want to enjoy features in new appliances.
What is the energy efficiency of your system?
Some systems work very efficiently even after years if you maintain them well. However, with time the efficiency of the system reduces, and you can see the impact on your electricity bills. If you have an efficient system, you can keep using it, but if you feel a decline in its efficiency, replacing it with a new one can be a good idea.
New units are more energy-efficient as compared to older ones. New technology has reduced the size of appliances, and now they are easy to operate and use less energy. So, if you can afford to buy a new model, you should replace the old one. New models are energy efficient and aesthetically beautiful.
Have your requirements changed now?
Our needs and requirements change with time. If you have no construction in the house or you have a large family now, your old AC unit may not be able to fulfill these new needs. You may need a large system for your home now. If your old system is fine, it will not be efficient according to your needs. Choose the right size unit to fulfill your present cooling needs. It should be energy efficient and must offer better cooling performance. On the other hand, you may need a small unit now as the number of family members has reduced or changed the home. The large unit will use more power and do extra cooling, which you don’t want, so now you need to replace the unit with a smaller one.
Are repairs very expensive?
Sometimes a part of the system fails to work, and when you try to replace it, you find out that it is very expensive. In this situation, replacement is the right choice as you will get the new and latest appliance within the preparing price. The new device will be energy efficient with a lot of the latest features.
These are the few questions that can help you make a good decision about repair or replacement of HVAC system. The air conditioner is a necessary part of every home and office. It should work properly. If there are some repair issues and the system’s life is more than 10 years, replacement is the right choice.
About Century Air Conditioning & Heating
Century Air Conditioning & Heat was established in 1986. We’re a family owned and operated HVAC contractor in Orlando, FL. For over 36 years, we’ve been a trusted source for air conditioning equipment, heating equipment and related services. Century is an A+ BBB accredited business.
Air Conditioning & Heating Services Offered in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida Areas:
Orlando Air Conditioner Installation | Orlando Air Conditioner Installation |
HVAC Air Conditioning Maintenance | Orlando Air Conditioning Service |