When Should I Replace my Air Conditioner in Hillsborough?

Replacing your home’s air conditioner is possibly one of the biggest decisions you will make this summer to ensure your family’s comfort. Whether to choose between an AC repair or an entire air conditioner replacement is a decision you may have to face. Fortunately there is a point at which you can know it’s time to stop investing in AC repairs and choose to replace your air conditioner. 

Increasing AC Age 

Something to keep in mind before getting too deep in to the process is the age of the air conditioner. Like most mechanical devices, air conditioners will wear down over time. With a new air conditioner, newer technology provides greater comfort and better reliability, for less money. While it’s not on the same scale, you could liken heating and air conditioning equipment to computers. The technology does have a life expectancy and newer, more advanced upgrades are constantly being created. 

Increasing AC Repair Costs 

With an appliance as complex as a central air conditioner, there are parts that wear out and break down over time, especially if routine maintenance has not been done. A well-maintained system should work well throughout peak air conditioning season. A good rule of thumb when deciding to replace the air conditioner is that if annual AC repair costs approach $1,200, it maybe a good time to replace. That’s because the average monthly payment of an entirely new air conditioning system is the equivalent of that single repair cost. 

Another way to think about this is, if the cost for the AC repair is 1/12 of the cost of a new AC replacement, the advantages of the replacement air conditioner in low monthly payments, energy bill reduction and greater comfort likely outweighs the investment in the AC repair. 

Decreasing Efficiency 

Noticing decreases in your energy bill doesn’t take long when it happens month after month. It can be easy to write it off as an anomaly, but be sure to take a closer look at the energy you’re consuming and see if those increases are due to more use, or more likely due to something else like lower efficiency of your home’s air conditioner. The older your AC system gets (and the longer it goes before being maintained), the more inefficient it will become. It may also be a sign that it’s time for air conditioner replacement. 

Noise Pollution 

Older air conditioners and ductwork operate much louder than today’s new AC systems. That annoying clanking you’ve become accustomed to, or the overall noise level when the air conditioner is running could mean the end is near for your current air conditioner. It’s possible that you don’t realize how much noise you and your family have been living with until you realize the extreme quiet that a newer, more modern air conditioning system can offer. 

Of course, these aren’t the only problems that show off the need for air conditioner replacement, but they are a few of the more common ones that we see all the time. Fras-Air/General Service Experts can help by providing a free assessment of your home’s air conditioning system to help determine whether the time has come for your air conditioner to be replaced, or if it’s best to move forward with an AC repair. Hillsborough has trusted us for a reason, and that’s because your comfort is always top priority. Give us a call at 908-448-2154 or set up a free appointment today.