In Arizona, it’s important to have a functional air conditioner to maintain your comfort throughout the long summer. At this time of year, you might be thinking more about your heating system, or just reveling in the beautiful autumn weather. But if your air conditioner has been having a rough time this year, you should make a plan now to ensure that you’ll be able to cool your home when the hot weather hits again.
Should your plan be repairing your air conditioner, or investing in a brand-new one? Here are some points you should consider as you make that decision.
How Old Is Your Air Conditioner?
With annual maintenance, an air conditioner should last ten to fifteen years. Unfortunately, if you haven’t been diligent about maintenance, it may only function for half as long. This may give Tucson-area homeowners some idea of how much more time they have with an air conditioner and how it affects comfort in the house. An ac unit often shows warning signs before complete failure. Before scheduling a service visit, check the thermostat settings, air filter, and supply vents for simple issues. Short cycling means the AC system is turning on and off too frequently and should be inspected. If you notice ice on the copper lines, or water leaks or ice buildup on the ac unit, that can point to drainage or airflow problems. Turn the AC off and run the fan to help thaw the system before calling for help. During the Tucson monsoon season, added humidity can clog drain lines, and a wet-dry vac can sometimes clear the line before a professional arrives.
However, there is another thing to consider. An air conditioner over twelve years old is likely to have been manufactured with the refrigerant called R-22 or Freon. This is no longer being manufactured, so if you encounter a refrigerant leak, it won’t be repairable. So even if you’ve had it regularly maintained, you should not rely on it lasting much longer. Newer air conditioners use R-410A or Puron.
An air conditioner can survive longer than fifteen years without catastrophic failure, but it won’t be functioning efficiently. This can mean you struggle to keep your home at your desired temperature, and it definitely means you’ll be paying more for your energy bill. A sudden spike in energy costs can also be a sign the system is losing performance. Repeated repairs on an HVAC system can quickly add up for homeowners, which is why routine maintenance matters for long-term efficiency and fewer breakdowns.
How Often Does It Require Repair?
No air conditioner functions perfectly for its entire lifetime without any repair. Before scheduling service, check that the thermostat is set to cool, replace clogged air filters, make sure furniture or curtains are not blocking vents, reset any tripped breakers, and confirm the outdoor condenser power switch is on. Clear debris from the condenser and around the outdoor unit for proper airflow; if the copper lines are covered in ice, turn the AC off and run the fan, and if those steps do not fix the problem, contact a licensed HVAC professional. No matter how minor the issue seems after these basic checks, professional help may still be needed if the problem continues. A major problem can also affect your whole heating and cooling system, not just the air conditioner. You should not be concerned if you have needed to have work done on your air conditioner from time to time. However, if it requires service multiple times per year, those costs add up, and it also indicates that it’s unlikely to continue to operate efficiently for many more years.
When repairs become more frequent, it helps to work with a company that offers dependable solutions for homeowners and has the knowledge to diagnose the problem correctly. Good communication through the entire process and the professionalism of the entire team also make it easier for customers to feel confident moving forward. If guarantees or financing are offered, ask what you will pay before authorizing work so you know you are getting great service and the job is being done right.
Does It Need a Major Repair?
If your air conditioner is relatively new, the cost of a significant repair should not weigh heavily in your decision to keep the air conditioner. As it gets older, consider that the major repair might not be worth investing in, especially since putting it off can make the problem worse. But how can you tell? Warm air blowing from the AC can point to refrigerant leaks or compressor failure, making it a stronger sign of a major repair issue. While there’s no precise way to determine for sure whether repair will be worth it, there are a couple of methods you can use to make a calculation. First, you’ll need to determine the cost of replacing the air conditioner with a brand-new one.
Method one is simple: if the repair would cost at least half the cost of a replacement, it is likely to be a poor financial decision in the long term.
Method two is more nuanced: take the age of the air conditioner in years, and multiply that number by the estimate of the repair cost. If that number exceeds $5,000, you should replace the air conditioner. For example, if you have a two-year-old air conditioning system that requires a $1,000 repair, it’s worth investing in AC repair in Tucson. An eleven-year-old air conditioner that requires a $500 repair is not worth repairing. Choose an HVAC company in Tucson AZ that offers 24/7 or same-day emergency AC repair for prompt service that helps prevent further damage, with NATE-certified technicians licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors in AZ who provide clear explanations and are knowledgeable, backed by the reliability of the team and quality work. Also, check recent Google and Yelp reviews, ask for free or written estimates, and schedule service only after asking about guarantees on labor and parts, plus financing and other offers if a replacement is needed.
As a locally owned and operated business, we provide combined heating and cooling support for the community and treat customers like neighbors.
Whether you need AC repair or a new air conditioner, contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.