In Texas, you don’t want to be starting the summer with an air conditioner you can’t rely on. How’s your air conditioner doing? Were you happy with it last summer? Or was it struggling? Does it perhaps need a major repair in order to be up and running for the heat that will hit us so soon? Or could it be time to retire that air conditioner entirely?
It can be hard to determine whether you should keep investing in your existing AC system or give up on it. You don’t want to buy a new air conditioner if it’s not necessary. But you also don’t want to need that new air conditioner in a desperate hurry after a breakdown in a heat wave. We’ve got some tips for you on how to decide whether it’s time to replace your old air conditioner.
Age
One of the biggest factors to consider is the age of the air conditioner. These systems will usually last at least ten years. If you’re lucky, and your air conditioner is well cared for, it might last twelve years or even longer. But if you’re debating trying to keep it running, be aware that no amount of repairs will make an old air conditioner last many more years.
Condition
Annual maintenance is one of the most critical things you can do for your air conditioner, along with regularly changing the air filter. Maintenance keeps the unit clean and well-lubricated and minimizes wear and tear. If your air conditioner has had maintenance only rarely, or never, it will not keep running for the 10+ years mentioned above. It might only last 5-7 years!
Repair Needs
If your air conditioner needs a major repair right now, is that cost worth it? If your AC unit is newer or has been meticulously maintained, it’s more likely to be a reasonable investment. But if it’s approaching ten years of age or has not been getting regular maintenance, that one costly repair really might not be worth it.
Another way to look at repair needs is frequency. Maybe no single repair has been extremely expensive. But how often have you needed to get your air conditioner maintained? Toward the end of its life, the system will need repair more and more frequently to keep running. If it’s already requiring help more than once a year, it might be time to move on and get a new air conditioner.
Inefficiency
Even if your old air conditioner is still running okay, it might be using a lot of electricity. This is for two reasons. First, as they age, air conditioners become less efficient. This can be avoided for quite a while with maintenance, but eventually, it will become inevitable. Secondly, there are limits to how efficient a ten-year-old air conditioner is, even compared to when it was brand-new.
Today’s systems come in significantly more energy-efficient models. If you’re concerned about your electric bills, your home’s electrical capability, or the power grid, you might want to upgrade to a new high-efficiency system.
Whether you’re ready for AC installation in Wolfforth, TX, or you’d like to have a conversation about your options, we’re always happy to hear from you.
JD’s Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning serves the Lubbock area. Contact us for all your AC installation, maintenance, and repair needs.