Time for an Upgrade? When to Replace Your Home AC

Is your old air conditioning unit starting to show signs of wear and tear? Maybe it’s starting to blow lukewarm air, make clanking sounds, or is simply not strong enough to bring down your home’s indoor temperature.

In case you’re dealing with these mechanical problems, you may be leaning towards getting a repair job done to fix the issue. But then you realised: wouldn’t replacing the AC unit solve the issue entirely?

If you’re unsure whether to repair or replace your AC unit, we’ll help you decide the best option between these two viable solutions. This article will outline clear signs that it’s time for a replacement or when a simple repair might still do the trick.

Let’s jump right into it.

4 Signs to Just Undergo Repairworks

Here are four signs that you simply need to call a mechanic to restore your A/C unit to working order.

If the Problem is Localised to One Part

One sign that you need to call an AC repair technician is if you’re experiencing faults in the AC for the first time. These technicians will inspect your A/C unit and gauge the problem at hand, and make a professional recommendation on how to proceed.

It’s often the case that the A/C unit’s primary problem source comes from a single component. A blown capacitor, a burnt-out contactor, an unresponsive thermostat, or a broken fuse can all interfere with the normal functioning of the A/C unit.

And as troublesome as it is to bear the brunt of these mechanical problems, technicians have the skills and tools to easily diagnose and repair a vast majority of these problems. You wouldn’t need to replace A/C units in this case, as the problem could be sorted out by a quick fix or a cheap replacement job for one specific part.

In some cases, you could repair the A/C unit yourself. Read this Daikin air conditioning repair guide if you’re using one of their appliances and are encountering minor issues for the first time with your A/C unit.

If The Repair Price is Reasonable

Another sign that it’s time to repair your AC unit is if the quote for the repair is within reason in your eyes.

If the price for doing minor fixes like replacing a capacitor or cleaning the unit’s coils falls squarely within your budget, then you can consider opting for that instead of blowing a lot of money on a brand new unit.

That said, always be sure that their quoted price covers all that you’re expected to spend for the job. A reliable technician should be able to quote a reasonable price that can get your A/C unit back to working order.

If the Ductworks are the Issue

If your A/C unit is not powerful enough to cool your room or is causing an interior temperature imbalance, it might not necessarily be the A/C unit’s fault. It could be because of loose or damaged ducts in the HVAC system.

This is particularly the case if your A/C unit is a central A/C unit or one that relies on a network of ducts to operate. Sometimes, weak cooling isn’t due to a malfunction with the A/C unit itself—it could just be an issue in the ductwork.

In such cases, repair works will need to be directed to the particular duct that’s causing problems. Some common duct issues include disconnected duct joints, cracks in the ducts, and debris buildup. Addressing these issues is one way to keep the house cool without touching the A/C unit itself.

If It’s a Matter of Routine Cleaning

Oftentimes, the A/C unit’s insufficient cooling or foul odour isn’t a sign that it needs to be replaced. A simple cleaning task can be just the trick to help make it usable once again.

As time passes, the A/C unit can accumulate dust and debris in some parts of its system, particularly the vents and filters. This makes the A/C unit less operationally efficient, which can rack up the electricity bill or fail to adequately cool a room.

In such cases, it’s a good idea to open the appliance and inspect for yourself whether the unit is simply too dirty to perform efficiently. For instance, your AC’s dirty filters may be the reason for it underperforming, and clearing out the filters or replacing them can make a big difference in restoring its performance and extending its longevity.

That said, if you’re still facing the same problems even after a thorough cleansing job, then the problem could be much deeper than it may first appear.

4 Signs to Replace the AC Unit

Let’s take a look at some of the top glaring signs that an A/C unit replacement is warranted.

It’s More Than 15 Years Old

The average lifespan of an AC unit is 10 to 15 years.

Beyond that, the average A/C unit will gradually lose its efficiency, which would call the need for more frequent repairs. Furthermore, some of the parts of an outdated A/C unit may be phased out, like certain refrigerants. This makes it nearly impossible to repair the A/C unit without it causing a huge dent to your wallet.

In such cases, it may be best to replace your old A/C unit and give newer and more energy-efficient models a chance. This not only gets your cooling system back on track, but it also helps you save more in the long run, since you’ll deal with fewer breakdowns and lower energy consumption.

It Experiences Frequent Breakdowns

If your AC unit needs repairs so frequently that keeping up with them has become a hassle, it might be time to think about replacing it.

For starters, a machine undergoing repair doesn’t always guarantee a good-as-new performance. It can also be quite expensive to repair them, especially if you have to do it multiple times.

If your A/C system is no longer reliable, then it may be worthwhile to invest in a new and more energy-efficient A/C appliance instead.

While the upfront charge of buying a new machine can be daunting, this purchase will help you save on long-term costs while also providing you with peace of mind as you no longer need to constantly worry about it breaking down every few months.

It Uses Harmful Refrigerants

Many older A/C units rely on refrigerants like R-12 and R-22 to produce the cooling effect. However, these substances are associated with harmful emissions that deplete the ozone layer, and are accordingly being phased out by many manufacturers and replaced with more sustainable refrigerants.

Repairing A/C units that work with this type of refrigerant not only contributes to harmful emissions, but it is also generally expensive due to the shortage of components that can use these refrigerants. In such cases, switching to a modern A/C unit with more sustainable refrigerants like the R-32 Freon is considered the superior choice due to its environmentally friendly and replaceable nature.

If Your A/C Unit’s Primary Problems Aren’t Going Away

Even if you’ve tried to repair your A/C unit, in some cases, the problem underlying it will persist. If you’re still experiencing them even after attempts at repair, then it may be time to throw in the towel and get a new one instead.

Here are some common A/C unit problems that may signify the need to replace the unit entirely, particularly if these problems have not improved:

• High energy bills
• Poor airflow
• Foul odours
• Strange and excessive sounds
• Inconsistent cooling
• Imbalanced cooling

In case your A/C unit faces one or a combination of these problems, it may be best to replace the appliance to ensure that you can return home knowing that your A/C unit won’t add to your list of troubles.

We hope this guide has helped you determine the best time to replace or repair your A/C unit. All the best in making that decision!