When Should I Buy a New Air Conditioner?
When the temperatures begin to climb, air conditioners must be in excellent working order to chill the rooms appropriately. Maintaining your air conditioner can guarantee longer and uses less energy.
However, air conditioners do wear down and need to be replaced from time to time.
It’s not very difficult to figure out when to replace your air conditioner. But, unfortunately, there are no hard and fast guidelines for determining whether it’s time to replace your air conditioner.
1. Consider the air conditioner’s age
Older air conditioners are inefficient compared to newer, more modern units. Therefore, if you search for air conditioner accessories near me, you will learn from their experts that if your air conditioner is more than ten years old, you should consider replacing it. Likewise, if the air conditioner is older than 15 years, you should consider replacing it since most cooling machines’ typical lifetime.
2. Use the $5,000 rule of thumb
Some experts suggest using the $5,000 guideline when deciding whether or not to replace the unit—double the cooling device’s age by the repair cost. If the cost exceeds $5,000, you should think about replacing the equipment. Otherwise, it is preferable to get the device repaired.
For example, if your air conditioner is eight years old and the repair cost is $400, the total cost is $3,200. Just search for central air conditioner parts near me to repair the air conditioner. However, if the repair costs $700 for the same air conditioner, the total cost is $5,600; thus, you should replace it with a new one.
3. Consider how often you’ll need maintenance
Consider if the air conditioner has to be repaired often. If you answered yes, you should think about getting a new air conditioner. Otherwise, it is preferable to get the equipment fixed.
If the cost of repairs exceeds 50% of a new air conditioner, you should consider replacing it. First, consult with professionals to determine the cost of repairs and the price of a new system. After that, you can make an informed selection.
4. Replace any R-22-required air conditioners
R-22 refrigerant is often used in older air conditioners, considered harmful to the environment. If your air conditioner utilizes this refrigerant, you should think about replacing it.
Another incentive to replace your air conditioner with one that does not utilize R-22 is that the cost of this refrigerant has skyrocketed. Furthermore, refrigerant manufacturing is set to expire in 2021. As a result, it’s advisable to move quickly and replace the air conditioner.
5. Think about the air conditioner’s energy efficiency (and the energy savings of a new air conditioner)
The energy efficiency of a modern air conditioner is quite remarkable, resulting in cheaper energy expenditures. In addition, several states provide tax breaks to homeowners that acquire energy-efficient equipment. As a result, if changing the unit would save you money in reduced bills and tax advantages, you should do so.
Just search the ac accessories shop near me and call HVAC Warehouse at (888) 944-8684.
