When faced with the need for potential air conditioning repair in St. Louis, MO, many homeowners wind up having to decide whether to repair or replace the unit. Oftentimes, when the bill seems too high, many homeowners may think it would be better or less expensive to simply buy a whole new air conditioning unit.
While there are many benefits to replacing an old unit, such as improved indoor air quality, a new warranty and little need for repairs, it can still be difficult to determine whether it is worth the investment. Here are a few ways to determine whether or not it is time to invest in a new air conditioning unit or to keep repairing the current one:
How old is your unit?
If your air conditioning unit is more than 10 years old, you should definitely consider investing in a new one in order to save some money on your monthly bills. While age is not a definitive guide in deciding whether to replace it, many older units are not nearly as energy efficient as the current models on the market. Only so much air conditioning repair in St. Louis, MO can make up for an inefficient unit. While it may seem cheaper to stick with an older unit, you are ultimately paying for it through your monthly energy bills.
Total repair cost
High repair costs are often a deciding factor when determining if it is time to upgrade to a new unit. Typically, a new unit is recommended if the cost of air conditioning repair in St. Louis, MO is more than $800 or so. But there are other factors to consider, such as age. If the repairs are going to cost $800, but your unit is less than six years old, it might be worth the investment in order to utilize it for just a bit longer. You should also consider the total amount spent on repairs. For example, if you need to spend $800 now, but you just spent $500 on repairs last year, it is probably time to purchase a new air conditioner.
The best way to determine whether air conditioning repair in St. Louis, MO is worth the price is to use the 50 percent rule. When the cost of the repair is 50 percent or more of the unit’s total value, it is generally time to replace the system. This can be difficult though as there is no clear way to determine the value of an air conditioner without a professional’s input.
Making a final decision
Ultimately, a trained air conditioning repair specialist can give you the best answer on whether it is better to repair or to purchase a new air conditioner. Every system is different, and a decision can only be made following a thorough inspection by a qualified service technician. Don’t worry about determining if the investment is worth it—let one of our experts help you make the call! Call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today and let us help you decide on a next step.
No homeowner likes the prospect of having to replace, update or repair an expensive facet of their home like their air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO, but it’s a prospect that will roll around at some point in time or another. The best thing you can do as a responsible homeowner when it does is to make the best decision you can about how to invest your money and lead yourself and your home down the path of sustainability.
If the time has come for your AC unit to be assessed and, ultimately, replaced, it’s a good idea to consider energy efficient units as a progressive next step in your strive for a better quality of life in your home. Why? Take a look at some of the tremendous benefits that an energy efficient air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO can have:
- Energy efficient units can save you hundreds of dollars in cooling costs each year—and this is already on top of the efficiency that comes with replacing a unit that’s likely more than a decade old.
- Having an energy efficient unit is seen as an investment in your home, which means the value of your home will go up, should you decide to sell down the line.
- Because energy efficient units often feature two-stage compressors and variable speed air handlers, they’re able to create more encompassing capabilities when it comes to climate control.
- Most energy efficient AC units are Freon-free and have done away with this chemical in favor of a more environmentally friendly refrigerant alternative. This means lower costs associated with Freon and coolant-related issues.
Now, the above benefits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to enhancing your home and your quality of life with an efficient air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO! Another huge factor to consider is the monetary savings you’ll reap from tax and energy rebates!
Federal tax credits exist—like the credit for Consumer Energy Efficiency—to reward citizens who make the transition towards a more environmentally friendly, energy efficient cooling system. These rebates exist at both state and federal levels, meaning you’ll be able to save on both state and federal taxes each year if you’re someone who has made the investment in a high-efficiency AC system!
Now, perhaps the best benefit and biggest reason to invest in an energy efficient air conditioner installation in St. Louis, MO is the immediate impact it’s going to have on your quality of life. Cleaner forced air, better temperature control and responsive controls make it easy to enjoy every moment in your home while the AC unit hums along softly to provide you with optimal forced air. Not having to worry about strange smells, fluctuating temperatures and odd noises is a luxury you won’t come to appreciate until you experience it!
If you’re interested in seeing how far your money can go with an investment in a new AC unit, consult with the professionals at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today about energy efficient AC installations.
When the temperatures climb into the triple digits and the humidity sets in, it’s all anyone can do to run for shelter in their homes, with the AC pumping full blast to combat the heat. And while it’s easy to sit in an air conditioned house and look outside as the sun bakes everything it touches, if your home’s AC unit isn’t in proper functioning condition you might find yourself with more headaches than comfort!
Take a look at how you can avoid untimely and costly AC repair in St. Louis, MO by keeping your unit in peak functional condition, even on the hottest of days:
- Be sure to keep the area around your AC unit clear of any debris or brush that might prevent it from functioning properly. It’s easy for foliage to become overgrown and hang into the AC unit, while outdoor debris can block up vents and filters to make it hard for air to properly circulate.
- Have your system tuned up at least once per year. Generally it’s best to have this done before summer begins, but if you’re a little behind, it’s a good idea to give a professional a call before an impending heat wave or any other time of year where you’ll be relying on your unit for weeks at a time.
- Have your unit inspected regularly by a professional to make sure that essential parts are in top condition and that a problem isn’t lurking out of sight, ready to erupt into a need for emergency AC repair in St. Louis, MO. This includes essential parts and pieces such as the condenser, fans and pulleys, wiring components and filters.
- Have an efficiency inspection done for your home’s HVAC, to make sure your AC unit isn’t working harder than it has to all day long to keep you cool. If your unit is too small for your home or your thermostat is faulty, for example, you could be paying more money to have a unit that’s working harder than it needs to: a losing combination for everyone.
Now, aside from paying close attention to your AC unit itself, there are also some peripheral things you can do to make sure your AC unit isn’t working harder than it has to. Here are some quick tips:
- Make sure there’s no unmitigated airflow around your windows and doors, which can affect the temperature in your home and cause your unit to work double time.
- Make sure your thermostat is positioned in a part of the home that’s balanced. Putting it in a cramped space or one that’s too large can throw off the readings required to tell your AC unit when to work versus when to rest.
- Monitor the temperatures outside to give your AC unit a rest whenever you can. Day after day of constant function can take its toll, and giving it a day off can really make a difference!
Keeping these things in mind during the summer months will help you to stave off AC repair in St. Louis and keep your unit functioning to its fullest!
