If you’ve got a major air conditioner problem in Louisiana in July, you don’t want to sit around debating what to do for very long! You need to make a decision and get things sorted out so you don’t expire from the heat. If your air conditioner is not very new, and it needs a significant repair, you might be wondering whether it’s worth it, or if you should replace the system.
It’s not a simple yes-or-no question. There are a few different factors you should take into account as you choose whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. We’ll help you sort through the important pieces of information so you can make a decision you’ll be happy with.
Age
How old is your air conditioner? This is one of the most important factors. Air conditioners can last up to twelve years or so if they’re well cared for. But an air conditioner that’s getting on in years might not be a good candidate for a very costly repair, since nothing you do will keep it running for much longer anyway.
Condition
Air conditioners should receive professional maintenance every single year. This is how they can last as long as twelve years. With maintenance only performed occasionally, they won’t last as long. With no maintenance whatsoever, an AC unit that’s six or seven years old is comparable to a well-maintained eleven- or twelve-year-old unit.
Necessary Repairs
Get an estimate of the cost of the repair your air conditioner currently needs. Is it a lot? Some professionals recommend that homeowners only have AC repairs done if the cost will be less than half of the cost of getting a new air conditioner.
But even if the repair cost isn’t terribly high, you should also think about how often your air conditioner has been requiring repairs. Even small repair costs add up, and as air conditioners age, they’ll need those repairs more and more often. If your system is already requiring repairs every summer, it’s definitely getting toward the end of its lifetime.
The 5000 Rule
The 50% rule, only investing in repairs that are less than 50% of the cost of a new air conditioner, is a little simplistic. For a slightly more in-depth method, consider the 5000 rule. Multiply the age of your air conditioner (in years) by the expected cost of the repair it currently requires (in dollars). If the answer is less than 5000, repair, and if it’s more than 5000, replace.
Using this method would show you that a six-year-old air conditioner is well worth investing in with a $500 repair, because that answer is 3000. But if your eleven-year-old air conditioner needs that same repair, giving you an answer of 5500, replacement would be the better choice.
If the answer is too close to call, think about the condition of your system. If you’ve been diligent about annual maintenance, lean more toward repair. If you’ve neglected maintenance, lean toward replacement.
If you’d like any more help assessing the condition of your system or scheduling air conditioner replacement in Covington, LA, don’t hesitate to reach out.
When you need it done right, contact Professional Heating & Air.