Happy springtime! Are you enjoying the beautiful weather? Getting out there and gardening, grilling, or going for a hike? Don’t forget, though, that you want to be prepared for summer before the heat really hits. How’s your air conditioner doing? Getting old? Needing repair? Or could it possibly be time to stop repairing your old AC and replace it instead?
How do I know whether to repair or replace my AC and furnace?
- Age matters: If your AC or furnace is over 15 years and repair costs are rising, replacement often saves money long-term.
- Frequent breakdowns or high repair bills: Recurring issues may signal that ongoing repairs are no longer cost-effective.
- Rising energy bills or decreased comfort: Older systems lose efficiency, leading to higher utility costs and inconsistent heating/cooling.
- Signs like strange noises, odors, or rust: These warning signals point to declining reliability and performance.
System compatibility and savings: Replacing both AC and furnace together ensures efficiency, reduces installation costs, and avoids mismatched components.
There is no one simple answer to the question of when to stop repairing your air conditioner and start looking into your AC replacement options. Instead, there are a variety of factors you should consider while you’re trying to make that decision. We’ll tell you the things to keep in mind and give you some hints about how to weigh them.
Age
Your air conditioner is certainly not new if you’re thinking about whether to replace it. But how old is it? Anything over ten years is definitely getting to retirement age, though an air conditioner will sometimes last 12-15 years or so.
Condition
Annual maintenance makes a huge difference in how long an air conditioner will last, and therefore how long it’s reasonable to keep investing in repairs for it. If your AC has been professionally maintained each year, it is much more likely to make it to 12-15 years. If it’s never had maintenance, it might only last 6-7 years. That’s why sticking to a routine air conditioner maintenance schedule can play a big role in the long-term reliability of your system.
Repair Frequency
Some repairs don’t take long or cost very much. They might not be a particularly big concern to you. But if they’re happening again and again, those costs will eventually add up to quite a lot. And as your air conditioner ages, repairs will only get more frequent, not less. Referencing a helpful AC troubleshooting checklist can help you identify recurring issues before they become costlier problems.
Repair Cost
If you’re looking at a significant repair need in order to get your air conditioner in shape to run this summer, how much will it cost to have that done? Keep in mind the other considerations. A five-year-old air conditioner that’s been maintained every year is worth repairing, even if the repair is expensive. A ten-year-old air conditioner that’s only sometimes had maintenance might not be. In some cases, improving energy efficiency and cutting down on cooling costs with a new unit might be the smarter long-term move.
The 50% Rule
One way to consider these factors is the 50% Rule. This is the idea that an AC repair is only worth it if the expense is less than 50% of the cost to replace the unit. If the repair would be more than half of the cost of a new unit, get the new unit instead.
The 5000 Rule
To get a slightly more specific answer, you could try the 5000 Rule. Take the age of the unit in years and multiply that by the projected cost of the repair it needs right now. Is your answer less than 5000? Get the repair. More than 5000? Replace the unit instead. If your answer is just about exactly 5000, consider the other factors, and repair a well-maintained unit, or replace one that needs frequent repairs.
If you have any other questions about your options for a new AC unit or about air conditioning repair in Beaver Dam, WI, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
You can always count on 24-Hour Home Comfort Services, your heating and cooling specialists.