A new air conditioner is one of the most expensive purchases a homeowner will ever make. With this in mind, most people would rather not replace their current AC if possible. However, after a few equipment breakdowns and increasingly high energy bills, a brand new air conditioner can start to look much more appealing.
The decision of whether to repair or replace your air conditioner isn’t always easy, but it can be simplified by focusing on the following important factors.
HOW TO KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER
1. Is your air conditioner close to “retirement age?”
According to the National Association of Home Builders, an AC unit should last between 10 to 15 years on average. Once your air conditioner approaches the 10-year-mark, you should definitely start budgeting for a replacement.
2. Are repair costs stacking up?
It would be unusual for an air conditioner to go through its entire lifespan without a single problem. However, the older your AC gets, the more likely it is to have issues as parts wear out. If you own an old unit, and it requires multiple repairs or one extremely expensive repair, you might be better off putting that money towards a new unit.
Here’s a good rule of thumb to use if your AC isn’t that old but needs expensive work done: if the repairs your AC needs are equal to half the value of a new system, you’re better off replacing your AC.
3. Are you paying through the roof to keep your home cool?
If you own an older system, there’s a good chance that its efficiency rating is significantly lower than even the minimum standard required in new systems today. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, replacing it with a newer, more efficient AC can reduce your cooling costs by 20 to 40 percent.
TIPS FOR BUYING A NEW AIR CONDITIONER
If you’ve determined that it’s time to buy a new air conditioner, the most important decision you’ll make next is which HVAC contactor to work with. Here are some tips for the air conditioner vetting and purchasing process.
1. Get more than one quote.
Getting multiple quotes will allow you to compare contractors. You may be surprised at the price difference between the quotes you get for a new AC unit. Just keep in mind, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Work with a contractor that is licensed and insured.
Verify that the HVAC company you want to work with is licensed and insured before you sign anything. Granted, in most cases, contractors are required by law to be licensed and insured, but that doesn’t mean all of them are. If they are not insured and one of their workers is injured on your property, you may be financially responsible.
3. Ask about financing, special offers, and rebates.
Depending on when you buy your air conditioner and what make or model you buy, you could be eligible for a special promotion or a manufacturer rebate. Also, because HVAC equipment tends to be expensive, many companies offer financing options that can make the purchase more affordable.
4. Avoid buying a unit that’s too big or too small.
The trouble with purchasing an air conditioner on your own (without involving an HVAC professional), is that you’re likely to buy a unit with the wrong capacity for cooling your home.
If the unit is too small, it will constantly struggle to keep your home comfortable. If the unit is too big, it will run for extremely short, frequent cycles and fail to cool your home evenly. Both of these are problems that create high energy bills and wear out the equipment fast.
An HVAC expert can take all the factors of your home into consideration to determine the ideal AC size to meet your cooling needs.
For honest, professional air conditioner installations and replacements in Griffith, you can count on Meyers Companies, Inc.. Call us today at (219) 240-0610 or contact us online!
