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Is it Time to Replace or Repair Your AC Unit? How to Make the Right Choice

If you live here in Palm Desert, CA, you already know that your home’s AC is more than a modern convenience. Without it, it would be almost impossible to make it through a summer here. At the same time, your home’s air conditioning system is a significant investment. So, it would make sense that you’d want to prolong the life of your existing system as much as possible. However, at a certain point, spending more money to repair your AC is a bad idea. Here is everything you need to consider to determine when it’s time for an AC replacement.

Your AC’s Age

On average, you can expect between 10 and 15 years of reliable service from a well-maintained AC. So, if your home’s AC is nearing that age, it may be time to consider a replacement. There are a variety of reasons why doing so is a good idea. One is that it will afford you the time necessary to make a smart replacement decision. The last thing you want is to have your home’s AC die at the peak of summer. If that happens, you’ll be more concerned with getting any replacement than the right one for your needs.

Unit Efficiency

With each passing year, you’re likely using your home’s AC on more days and for more hours. You’ve probably noticed this in your ever-increasing electricity bills. That trend isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Therefore, it makes sense that you’d want an AC that’s as efficient as possible. Today’s air conditioners are more energy efficient than ever before. Even an average system today is likely to be significantly more efficient than the system you have. Plus, years of wear and tear on your existing AC almost guarantee it isn’t as efficient as it once was. To find out, compare your electricity use over the past few years. If it’s increasing more rapidly than the increasing temperatures can explain, you should consider an AC replacement.

AC Repair Frequency

Generally, your home’s AC should never need more than a single repair within a calendar year. So, if yours is breaking down more frequently than that, you should think about replacing it. Most air conditioners experience the most breakdowns within the final two years of their useful lives. That means you can bet that more frequent breakdowns indicate that the end is near for your AC. If you’re fortunate, the repairs that alert you to a problem won’t be major. However, the longer you ignore those warning signs, the greater the odds your system will fail abruptly.

Repair Costs

Another way to tell when it’s time for a new AC is if your existing one needs a costly repair. In general, any repair that would cost more than 50% of the cost of a new system isn’t worth it. This applies no matter how long you’ve owned your AC. The reason is that investing that much into repairing an AC will rarely pay off. That’s because it would need an abnormally long service life for an expensive repair to become worth it.

Apply the Rule of 5,000

Finally, you can apply what HVAC contractors call the rule of 5,000 to determine if it’s time to replace your AC. The rule can help determine if repairing your existing AC is a good idea. To use it, simply multiply the repair cost by the age of your AC. If the result exceeds $5,000, the repair isn’t worth it. This rule compares the repair cost against how many more years of service you might expect from your AC. With an older AC, you may find that even a relatively inexpensive repair wastes money.

Your Local AC Replacement Experts

Breeze Air Conditioning has been the go-to HVAC contractor in Palm Desert since 1980. We offer complete HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. That includes selling and installing the latest ductless mini-splits and heat pump systems. We also provide indoor air quality services and maintenance plans. Our HVAC technicians are NATE-certified and trained to the highest possible standards. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Our long list of positive reviews from local homeowners speaks for itself. If you need an AC replacement for your Palm Desert home, call Breeze Air Conditioning today!