Repair vs Replacing Your Air Conditioner & Heating Systems

Two air conditioners in front of a house need repair or replacement.

If your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system have failed and you have discovered it is no longer as responsive as it once was, you may be considering whether to repair or replace it. Is it too early to search for a replacement? Is repair your best long-term choice, or would a newer, more efficient system offer you the function and dependability you require? Check out this post before calling an AC repair service. When choosing between repair and replacement, there are many things to consider. 

The Benefits of Replacement

The benefits of upgrading your heater or air conditioner are as follows: 

Cost savings that are significant

If your system is over 10 years old and repair costs are approaching 50% of the system’s value, upgrading to a newer, more efficient system may save you a substantial amount of energy. Depending on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), upgrading your system may save you anywhere from 20% to 40% on heating and cooling costs. Is there a fireplace in your home? The solution to the repair vs. replacement issue is straightforward. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings, which assess furnace efficiency, indicate that systems from the 1970s had AFUE ratings of about 65 percent, while today’s models had almost full efficiency: 97 percent. That adds up to a significant amount of money spent on energy. 

Incentives and Tax Credits

Aside from the energy savings that accrue throughout the life of your new system, relevant tax credits and incentives may save you up to 30% off the cost of contemporary, high-efficiency systems. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when choosing between repair and replacement. 

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Warranty

Newer gadgets have a guarantee, which helps you save money on repairs if any issues arise. 

Green Benefits

To protect the ozone layer, the United States Government and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have mandated that R-22 refrigerants be phased out by 2020. Upgrading to an R-410A system not only helps the environment, but it also saves you money on the high costs of maintaining an older system, as R-22 supplies decrease year after year due to the phase-out. 

Air Quality & Comfort

Newer systems control temperature and humidity more effectively, reducing mold and mildew growth and improving both comfort and air quality in your home. 

Convenience

There will be no more waiting in an uncomfortable home for repair services or difficult-to-find components for your outdated system. 

The Benefits of Repair

Here’s how to tell if repair or replacement is the best option: 

Moving

If you plan to leave your current home in the near future and your system is still functioning, speak with a local real estate agent to determine if repair or replacement is best for you.

Maintenance

If your system is neither old nor new, many simple maintenance techniques may help prolong its life and avoid the need for an urgent replacement. Inquire with your expert whether this is in your best interests, and if so, what you can do to extend the life of your present system. 

Recognizing When to Repair and When to Replace

Here are several signs that it is time to call your technician: 

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When it comes to repairing vs. replacement, the EPA and DOE’s joint ENERGY STAR program advises replacing systems older than 10 years and furnaces or boilers older than 15 years. While some systems may last a few years longer, their energy efficiency may degrade over time, costing you money. 

Repairs may not be in your best interests if your system can not handle the demands on its performance during the warmest and coldest seasons of the year, or if it has broken down often in recent years. In certain cases, they may rapidly accumulate, costing you more than investing in a new machine. 

Temperature Disparities

Uneven temperatures indicate that your heating and cooling system may need to be replaced.

Noise

If your system has to work overtime to meet your home’s heating and cooling demands, it may become very noisy or shut down at random. Establish and stick to a regular maintenance schedule to keep your system operating well, including annual professional maintenance to detect problems before they occur. 

Progress through time

In recent years, the HVAC business has changed considerably. While older analog systems may still operate well, newer digital systems provide a plethora of efficiency and communication capabilities.

Depending on the age of your system, there are numerous home comfort advancements that could completely transform your air, such as drastically improved efficiency, variable-speed and variable-capacity units, indoor air quality innovations, zoning technology that allows you to control temperatures in different sections of your home, and smart thermostats with the incredible ability to monitor sensors I

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Furthermore, due to recent regulatory changes, older units that still utilize the ozone-depleting R-22 refrigerant will be more difficult and expensive to repair, since this chemical is being phased out. Indeed, its scarcity is already causing inflated costs, which will certainly continue to increase to the detriment of homeowners.

To minimize energy expenses and environmental effects, all Lennox units now use R-410A refrigerant. Find out more about the effects of R-22 refrigerant.

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