It’s about to get hot again, folks. How’s your air conditioner doing? Is it ready for another long season of hard work keeping your house cool? Or has it been having a rough time? Will it need significant repairs before you can count on it to work?
When an air conditioner has major problems, should it be repaired or replaced? We’ve got some tips for you to help make that decision, including recognizing common signs your AC is struggling before they become serious issues.
Reasons to Consider Repair
- Age: Air conditioners, provided they’re maintained annually, generally work well for ten or sometimes fifteen years. If your air conditioner is much newer than that, even an expensive repair could be a good investment, because you’ll likely get many more years cooling from it.
- Frequency: If your air conditioner has been reliable and effective, and only now is requiring work, chances are, AC repair in Marana, AZ is your best choice.
- Cost: If the repair won’t cost very much, even an air conditioner approaching old age might be worth repairing. Spending a small amount now to have cooling for the whole summer could be the best choice, even if you need to replace the AC unit next year.
Reasons to Consider Replacement
- Age: If your air conditioner is already more than ten years old, you should keep in mind that no matter how much you invest in it now, it won’t last many more years.
- Frequency: If your air conditioner has needed frequent repairs—and we would define frequent as more than once per summer—you should understand that repairing it now will probably still leave you with an AC unit that needs repair again soon. You might also listen for strange noises from your AC unit, which can indicate underlying mechanical issues that suggest replacement is the better option.
- Cost: If the repair that your air conditioner needs would be very expensive, it’s time to carefully consider the other factors. Costly repairs on an elderly AC unit that has been unreliable or required frequent repairs would likely be a waste of money.
The 5,000 Rule of AC Replacement
Here’s a little calculation that might help you make your choice. Multiply the age of the air conditioner by the cost of the repair that it requires. If your answer is more than five thousand, replacement would make more financial sense than investing in the repair. Here’s an example: a two-year-old air conditioner requiring a $1,000 repair is worth repairing, because the answer is $2,000. A twelve-year-old air conditioner requiring a $500 repair should be replaced instead, because the answer is $6,000.
The Professional Touch
A qualified AC technician can help you to determine what the cost of the necessary repairs would be, and what condition your air conditioner would likely be in after the repairs, to aid you in your decision-making. And if you determine that replacement is the best bet, it’s also essential to have a professional install your new air conditioner. Many potential problems, such as damage to the unit, inefficient operation, frequent repair needs, and voided warranty agreements can be avoided when you choose professional AC installation rather than DIY or amateur installation. If you’ve noticed unpleasant smells coming from AC vents, that’s another sign it’s time to call a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: When is it better to repair an AC rather than replace it?
Answer: Repair makes sense when the unit is relatively young, has had few breakdowns, and the repair cost is modest. If your AC is under 10 years old and hasn’t needed multiple repairs, investing in a repair may extend its useful life satisfactorily.
Question: What signs indicate that full AC replacement might be the smarter option?
Answer: You should consider full replacement if: your AC is more than 10 years old, it requires frequent or major repairs, or the needed repair would be expensive relative to the unit’s remaining lifespan.
Question: What is the “Rule of 5,000” and how does it apply here?
Answer: The Rule of 5,000 says to multiply the age of your AC (in years) by the estimated repair cost. If that number exceeds 5,000, replacement is often more financially sensible than repairing.
Question: Why should a professional inspect before making the decision?
Answer: An AC technician can provide accurate estimates for repairs, assess the likely condition post‑repair, and help determine whether replacement is truly more cost‑effective than continuing repairs.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.