Deciding Between Repairing or Replacing Your AC Unit with the Help of HVAC Companies in St. Louis, MO

When your air conditioning unit goes down, choosing between repairing or replacing the unit can be difficult. Sorting through all of the pertinent factors can be overwhelming, but HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO can help.

To repair or replace?

The very first thing to take into consideration when deciding between repairing your current AC system or replacing it with a new one is the age of the existing unit. The industry recommendation is that, if your unit is more than 10 years old, you should consider replacing it. Although a quality unit is built to last longer than this 10-year threshold, the unit loses its power and efficiency with age. As a rule, if the age of your unit in years, multiplied by the cost of repairs, exceeds $5,000, then it is in your best interest to replace the system.

Additionally, if you are shelling out big bucks for repairs on a frequent basis due to the age of the unit, it might be time to invest that money in a new, properly working unit. And if the unit that you are sinking money into is less than 10 years old, that could be an indication that there is a larger problem with the unit that is causing continuous malfunction, and it may need to be replaced.

There are certain times, though, when repairing your existing unit is the best option. Careful contemplation of your current circumstances and your future plans could reveal the best course of action. For example, consider the length of time you plan on being in your home. You may have plans to move to a bigger house in the near future because you are planning on adding to your family. Or you might only be in a particular city for a temporary job relocation, and you know that your living situation will be changing soon. In these instances, it would be more economical for you to try to repair your system if at all possible.

On the other hand, if you have just purchased a new home and know you will be there permanently, ask the seller for access to the maintenance history of the AC unit. Knowing that the unit has received maintenance on a regular schedule suggests that the unit will need less repair overall in the future, and you can have confidence that these repair costs will be manageable.

Energy efficiency saves you money

Even if you have an older unit that is in good condition, you might still be spending quite a bit on your air conditioning bill because it isn’t equipped with any of the new energy efficiency options that many newer units include. It has been shown that upgrading to a system with improved energy efficiency ratings could save you up to 20 percent on your energy bills. Upgrading to this type of system also raises the value of your home, and could even put you in line to receive rebates. This innovative energy efficiency is also much better for the environment, and can drastically reduce your carbon footprint.

When the time comes and you have to make a choice between keeping and repairing your current AC unit or installing a new one, let your local HVAC companies in St. Louis, MO be your guide. There are pros and cons with either choice, but the knowledgeable technicians at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can walk you through all of your options so that you are able to make the best decision for you and your family. Contact us today to learn more.