An air conditioning system is vital to the comfort of your home. Do you ever wonder how Houston residents survived without machine-cooled air back before A/C systems were invented? Of course, air conditioners can also be a huge investment when something goes wrong.
When you’re facing a costly repair bill, the question may arise: Is it worth spending money to repair my air conditioner or should I just replace it? Below are some questions to ask that will help you figure out the right decision for you.
- How old is your unit? An average A/C unit is designed to last approximately 15 to 20 years. If you have an 18-year-old system and the repairs are starting to add up, you may want to consider replacing the system. Most new models have earned the Energy Star label, signifying that the unit is energy efficient and can save you up to 20 percent on your power bill. This may be the better option long-term if you have an old energy-wasting unit that’s costing you money every month.
- How much will the repair cost? If your unit is not extremely old and the cost to repair it is less than 30 percent of a new unit, then you may want to consider getting it repaired – as long as the other parts of the A/C are in good working condition.
- How much are your monthly bills? If it seems your A/C is constantly running in order to keep you comfortable and your monthly energy bills are skyrocketing, it may be time to consider replacement. Rather than dump money into your old unit, put it towards a newer energy efficient system instead.
- Are you moving soon or planning to stay put? This is very important when you are deciding whether to spend your hard-earned money on a new unit or stick with the one you’ve got. If you plan to move soon, you may want to make the one you have last as long as possible. You don’t want to spend all that money and then leave! On the other hand, purchasing a new cooling system might also be a good selling point once your house is on the market.
If you live in the greater Houston area, give us a call at (713) 732-6426 to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-qualified air conditioning technicians. Unlike other A/C repair companies who are just trying to get your money, here at Richmond’s Air customer service is our priority which means you can count on us for an honest expert opinion about whether you should repair or replace your unit.