Many homeowners in Denver, CO, have been here before: deciding whether or not it’s better to repair an existing air conditioner or replace it for a more reliable unit. There are a few key factors to consider when looking at the repair vs. replacement situation, and it’s important to take a close look at each factor.
Continue reading to learn more or simply reach out to the Denver air conditioning pros at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical if you have any questions or if you’re ready to schedule service!
If this is your first major repair in a long time, or ever, you may want to go ahead and repair your unit. However, if you have been nursing your air conditioning system along just to keep it operational, you may be at the point where you are throwing good money after bad. Assess how many repairs you’ve had to do, what they’ve cost you, and where your money will be better spent.
If your next air conditioning repair is going to cost half of the price of a new unit, air conditioning replacement might be the best option.
Is your air conditioner cooling like you want it to? Does it easily reach your desired temperature, or does it struggle? Are your energy bills climbing but you aren’t using your AC any differently? Do you have even cooling throughout your home? These are all important questions. You should be getting the performance you want from your air conditioner, including the level of cooling, the amount of energy it’s using, and comfort from room to room.
Age is a very important factor because as the components in your system age, they become more prone to breakdown. In fact, you are likely to see 85% of all the repairs you’ll do to your AC system in the last two years of its life. If you have a traditional split system AC, the expected lifespan is 10 to 15 years. Is your system close to this age?
The warranty on your air conditioner plays a huge role in any repairs you need to make, because it covers the air conditioner’s original components. As long as the warranty is in effect, you won’t pay for replacement components if the originals ever fail: only the cost of labor and smaller ancillary components like screws and bolts. That reduces the cost of most repairs quite a bit, and as long as the warranty is in effect, it usually means that repairs are a better option than replacement.
Once the warranty expires, the cost of repairs will inevitably go up. Even then though, you can sometimes keep costs down if the repairs are infrequent and mild. (This is another reason we recommend maintenance sessions since they can help reduce wear and tear, and thus lower the chances of a serious repair.)
Only when the costs have exceeded what you think your existing air conditioner is worth should you think about replacing it.
There are plenty of tax incentives to help with the cost of replacing your old equipment. As a way to reduce the impact of high energy usage on local communities, many states are offering incentives for purchasing energy-saving equipment. Take the time to research tax incentives in your state. These tax credits could be a key factor in your decision to replace your old system.
If you’re still having trouble determining the best course of action, call the experts at Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical. We’ve been providing HVAC service to the Metro Denver area for nearly a century and can help you decide if AC repair or AC replacement is the best option for your home.
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