When your air conditioner in Auburn fails, it can be tricky to know if it’s an occasion for an AC repair, or if a replacement would be a better option for the long term. The answer isn’t identical for every homeowner. For instance, a system that has been taken care of could be a realistic candidate for an AC repair because it will generally have a longer lifetime than another system that hasn’t been upheld. Many other aspects should be taken into account in addition to this. We’ve got some questions that can help direct you.
How old is your system and how often are you repairing it?
The age of your air conditioner is a huge factor in your decision to call for an AC repair or invest in a replacement. Older systems usually don’t operate as well as they did when they were new—and particularly not as efficiently as a new, energy-efficient model. Actually, you could lower your energy consumption by more than you thought possible if you swap out your aged system with a new, energy-efficient unit. In many circumstances, this savings will rationalize investment in a replacement system.
So how old is “too old”? That can differ based on your specific equipment and how well it’s been maintained, but Energy Star recommends upgrading to an energy-efficient unit if your current central air conditioner is older than 10 years old.
Outside your unit’s age, examine your AC repair history. If your system has broken down a couple of times, it’s likely to fail again—this circumstance can end up costing you more money in the long run. When you take into account likely rebates and increased efficiency, is a new system going to be more cost-effective in the future?
Many professionals recommend following “The $5,000” rule. Multiply the age of your system by the cost of the AC repair. If it’s more than $5,000, exchange the system. If it’s less, just get the repair.
Here are some other questions you should consider:
- Is your house cool enough in the summer? If not, your system isn’t keeping up.
- Are your energy bills spiking without increased usage? This is a sign that your air conditioner is failing.
- Is your system properly sized? If your unit is too small for your home, it can’t do its job. Just the same, if you’ve recently worked to make your home more energy efficient, your system can in fact be bigger than you need to cool a very efficient home.
If you’re not positive if you need an AC repair or if it’s time to think about a replacement, Forster Heating can help! Our experts can help you determine how much life remains in your system and what the best option for your home and budget will be. Call us at 530-885-8081 to setup an appointment for us to come out.