When is the right time to repair or replace your air conditioner? 

This is one of the most difficult questions for homeowners to answer, and it's perfectly normal to feel a little overwhelmed and stressed. Maybe you have a repair estimate in front of you, or maybe you're being pressured by a contractor to replace your AC. Maybe you think your AC has some life left in it, but you're not sure what to do.

Hopefully, this blog will help you figure out what to do in your current situation. 

Repair or not: The "$5k Rule" 

When deciding whether to repair or replace your home comfort system, there is a simple rule that applies to both air conditioners and furnaces. It's called the $5,000 rule, and it's easy to calculate.

Here's how it works: An HVAC company tells you that it will cost $500 to fix your air conditioner that is seven years old. So you multiply $500 by 7 to get the repair estimate. The repair will be $3,500, and since the repair estimate is less than $5k, you should pay for it and not think about replacing it. 

System age as a reason to replace 

The age of your system is the most important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to replace your air conditioner. If you don't know how old your system is, now is the time to ask your HVAC technician for a check-up.

It's important to know that an air conditioner has an estimated lifespan of 10 to 15 years. If your system is in that range, your technician will probably suggest that you replace it. It's not because they want you to spend a lot of money on a new system. It's because if your system is nearing the end of its life, it will begin to break down quickly. 

The older the AC, the faster it deteriorates 

The older an air conditioner is, the more likely it is to break down over time. This can lead to more frequent and expensive repairs, as well as a decrease in performance. Your air conditioner will have to work harder for the same amount of time, resulting in higher utility bills and wasted energy.

With technology advancing almost every year, modern air conditioners are much more sophisticated than those from even five years ago. If you have an air conditioner that's at the end of its life, it's probably an outdated model. In some cases, there's simply no point in continuing to spend money on an older model air conditioner, and these are some of the things your air conditioning technician should talk to you about when considering a replacement. 

If you have any doubts about the performance of your air conditioning system - leave your inquiry and our experts will come to check your AC at a time that is convenient for you.