Your old air conditioning unit has started making rattling noises when you turn it on. You’ve noticed in the past winter, you’ve had to crank the furnace in order to feel comfortable at home. If your HVAC unit is driving up the cost of your energy bills, there’s obviously a problem. But how serious is that problem?
If your old unit can be repaired and made to work as good as new, of course that’s the preference. In some cases, however, repairs are only a temporary fix, and a full replacement would make more sense in the long run. Here’s a guide to knowing when your HVAC unit can be salvaged and when to throw in the towel.
Repair
Before you decide to repair or replace your old HVAC unit, find out the cost of the repairs from your HVAC contractors. If the repair is expected to be about $150, it’s certainly worth trying to repair the system before spending thousands in order to replace it. Consider the history of the HVAC unit, too. How old is it? How many repairs have you had to make in the past? In the short term, repairs are significantly cheaper than the cost of replacement. Even expensive repairs are often one tenth of the cost of replacing your HVAC unit. If this is an “it’s never given me trouble before” issue, and service calls to your HVAC contractor haven’t become part of your regular routine, it makes more sense to repair than replace.
If you plan to move out of the house in the next year or so, you won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of a full replacement for a long enough period of time to justify the cost. It’s smarter just to get the repairs done or leave it be, depending on how soon you plan to move.
Replace
If your unit is older, use the 5,000 rule. Multiply the age of the HVAC unit by the cost of the repairs. If the cost adds up to $5,000 or more, it’s time to replace the unit. The older your HVAC unit gets, the more problems will arise and the shorter the time between repairs might be. If you’re already calling your HVAC technician out to your house for repairs several times a year or even a few times a month, you’ll eventually end up paying more in the cost to repair the unit than replace it.
Additionally, replacing your old HVAC system allows the opportunity to upgrade to higher tech units that weren’t available when you first bought it. You may be able to find a new HVAC unit that’s considerably more energy efficient or convenient to use. Your new system will also come with a warranty, which will cover the cost of repairs for a number of years, saving you money in the long run.
If you’re considering repairing or replacing your old HVAC unit, contact Air Solutions in Bryan-College Station to schedule an HVAC inspection. Our experienced technicians can tell you what exactly the problem is, how much repairs will cost, and even whether it makes the most sense to repair or replace the system. Contact us today to request an inspection or get a quote.
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