With spring here and summer not far behind, your home’s air conditioning system may be on your mind. The last thing you want is for the first hot Indianapolis day to come around, and your A/C decides not to blow cold air. But how can you tell if you need A/C repair or replacement?
When Repairing the A/C Is a Good Option
While many people assume that, unless there’s a catastrophic system failure, repairing your A/C is the way to go, this may not always be the case. If any of these situations apply to your A/C unit, arranging a repair may be the best option:
- Your A/C is less than eight years old. A newer A/C unit likely is worth repairing if possible. And if it still has a warranty, this makes even more sense.
- The problem is a simple fix. A/C units have fan belts and other replaceable parts. If one of these parts is worn or has failed, repairing your unit is the way to go.
- There’s a clog. If you know that the problem is a clog in your condenser, this can easily be fixed.
- There’s an external problem. Your technician should check the system air filter and ductwork to determine whether the problem is the A/C at all. It may be some external factor that can be easily addressed.
When Replacing Is the Better Option
Sometimes the best option for a malfunctioning A/C is replacement. Though this will be more costly in the beginning, it may save you time, frustration and money in the long run. If any of these situations apply to your A/C, replacing may be the best option:
- Your A/C is more than 10 years old. Minimum cooling efficiency (SEER) ratings a decade ago were lower than they are today. By purchasing a new cooling system with higher SEER ratings, you will save money in the long run.
- Your A/C equipment requires frequent repairs. Repairing an old unit again and again is costly. You’re throwing good money after bad. In this case, replacement is probably the best course.
- Your current system is the wrong size for your house. An A/C that’s oversized, for example, will cause unnecessary system strain, energy waste, unbalanced cooling, and higher utility bills.
For more information on A/C repair or replacement, please contact our experts at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We have been serving the Indianapolis area for over 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Image courtesy of Shutterstock