Air conditioners are not like other appliances in our home. For instance, a washing machine or a dishwasher could sometimes run at a fraction of the cost of operating a new air conditioner. Likewise, if you’re in need of support, just a quick call for AC repair in Broken Arrow, OK can run up the bill and cause a shock to your budget. This is stressful, and we understand why customers might try to hold off on repair or go with a DIY attempt.
But the real issue here is the state of your air conditioner, your budget, and how it all interacts. If you wait on AC repairs, for instance, your budget might be in worse shape come fall when replacement is the only option for your broken compressor. Or, if you pay for repairs without thinking about a replacement, you might end up wasting money on a system that is already on its way out.
How can you tell if it’s time to replace the system? How do you know if it just needs a quick fix? Let’s break it down.
First: Assess Your AC’s condition
Let’s start with the most helpful thing you can do. In order to know just how much money you might need to spend on your comfort technology, you need to assess the condition of the system. Here are a few factors that you should consider if there’s something currently wrong with the unit and you’re contemplating repairs or replacement.
- The AC’s age. If your air conditioner is 10 years old or older, it’s time to consider replacement. Repairing a system that’s this old will only buy you a few years more at maximum, compared to the decade or more you’d get from repairing a fairly new system. These units are just not designed to last longer than 15 years, and many components reach their breaking point at this age range.
- The number of frequent repairs. If you’re constantly repairing your air conditioner, then this might feel like just another drop in the bucket. But in fact, your air conditioner might be trying to tell you that it’s time for a replacement. Otherwise, if this is the first repair in a while, then you’re probably fine with just getting it.
- How well it works. What’s the point of repairing an air conditioner that doesn’t work exactly the way you want it to? If it’s not keeping you comfortable, then get it replaced by a system that does!
- Its efficiency levels. Air conditioners are also designed with peak efficiency in mind. Evaluate your AC’s efficiency by checking your energy bills and see if you notice a trend. If the unit is using up more electricity than it used to, then it might be time to get it replaced.
Schedule a Consultation
This can seem like a lot of information, but our team can help! Schedule an appointment with us and ask for our honest opinion. We’ll tell you whether repairs are a good idea, we’ll give you an estimate on how much they’d cost, and then we’ll let you take the reigns from there.