June has arrived, and so has the hot weather! We’ve already had a couple of days near 90, and the actual summer season hasn’t even arrived yet! You may have already relied on your air-conditioning to keep your home cool, but if you haven’t you soon will. If you’re thinking back to last summer and you don’t have fond memories of the way your AC system worked, you might be considering a replacement. How do you know when it’s time to install a new air conditioning system, or if some simple repairs will get you through?
According to Angie’s List, there are a few indications that can help you decide whether AC repair or replacement is ideal. The first factor their website mentions is the age of your air conditioning unit. Generally speaking, air conditioning units last between 10 and 15 years, and that is if they’ve been well maintained. If your unit is around this age, it may be time to consider a replacement. One way to know if you should replace your older equipment is to apply a general rule – take the cost of repairs and multiply it by the age of the equipment. If the total exceeds $5000, you should definitely think about replacing. (For instance, if you have a 15-year-old unit, and the repair bill comes to $450, that equals $6,750. That exceeds $5000, and means it may be more worthwhile to consider replacement.)
Next, you’ll want to consider energy efficiency. Older units do not operate as efficiently as older ones, and that causes monthly utility bills to be on the rise. While it may seem more costly to replace at the onset, many of today’s air conditioning systems, like the Bryant Evolution® Series, have a 19 or greater SEER rating – and that provides cool comfort at between 20 and 40 percent greater energy efficiency than our aforementioned 15-year-old unit.
Another factor to consider is the type of refrigerant your system uses. In older units, problems often arise due to leaks in refrigerant. The solution for that is for a qualified technician to add more. Older units often use Freon, or R-22, which is being phased out in favor of R-410A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant. As it is phased out, the cost of R-22 is at a premium – sometimes as much as $175 per pound. Not to mention, in many units that develop a Freon leak, the compressor soon goes out – and that can cost up to $2000 to replace. A consumer can expect to pay between $550 and $1000 just for the R-22 leak.
If you are debating between repair or replacement, the experts at Family Danz can help. We will thoroughly evaluate your unit, and if it will be more economical now and in the long run to repair, we’ll tell you. But if not, we’ll explain to you why, and we’ll help you find the ideal replacement for your home and your lifestyle. We’re pleased to provide the Capital District with the best quality, most efficient air conditioning systems on the market. When you think you need an energy-efficient replacement, we can help. Simply call us at (518) 427-8685 and we will be more than happy to assist you.