That is a big Question
These are the 3 options we give to our customer; 1. Repair 2. Replace. 3. Do nothing. Let’s take a look at some factors you will need to consider in your decision to either repair or replace.
What is the age of your equipment? Energy Star says you should consider replacing if you’re a/c or heat pump is more than 10 years old. We’ve seen some units have a major failure in 10 years or less. But we’ve also seen many units last 15-20 years with proper maintenance. The life of the unit has more to do with proper installation and maintenance than any other factors. (check our blogs on proper installation of heating & cooling equipment and proper installation of ductwork)
- What is the efficiency of your current unit? Some 20-year-old systems are 10 SEER and system around 10 years old can be between 12-16 SEER. (SEER is very much like MPG on a car. The higher the SEER the lower the electricity consumption to cool your home as with a lower SEER unit. Proper installation & maintenance are the only ways to make certain you actually end up with the proper SEER). Right now the lowest SEER new units are 14 and they go as high as 21SEER. Newer units will reduce your carbon footprint!
- How much are your repairs going to be? If your repairs are going to be more than you’d like to reinvest into your old system then you could take that money and put towards the cost of a new system. One fear people face with expensive repairs is the concern the unit might not last all that long before something else breaks. Plus, repair parts have a one year warranty. Our new units have a 10-year warranty on all the parts. (Depending on which system you pick, our labor warranty goes all the way up to 10 years!)
- Which refrigerant does your current system have? R-22 is being phased out in 2020 because it’s so harmful to the atmosphere. There will still be some R-22 around for a few years but it’s going to be very expensive. Puron® will be around for decades and its atmosphere friendly. If your current system has R-22, that is almost enough reason to replace even if it’s not in a major failure.
- Is it time to start saving money and gain peace of mind? Once you replace your old system with a new one you will start to enjoy reduced energy consumption, better comfort and for at least 10 years you will have peace of mind of not worrying about the unexpected expense of having to pay to replace broken parts.
- You don’t have to wait until it fails to replace. Many people will get ahead of the curve by replacing old systems before they fail. Taking this avenue you can plan and do it on your own desired schedule. You will also have more time to consider the many options. For instance, there are several types of furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps to choose from. You also need to be thinking about your ductwork, which can make or break your equipment, and indoor air quality products as well.
Feel free to give us a call at F:P:Site:Phone} to talk to us about your options and be sure to get a lot of information.