In our previous post, we talked about the importance of having routine air conditioning maintenance done in the spring. (Call us now if you haven’t done this yet! Don’t put it off.) Maintenance helps an air conditioner last for as many years as possible, and many ACs can serve a house effectively for 15 years. But an air conditioner is not a “forever” device. At some point in the future, you’ll need to have an air conditioning replacement in Staten Island, NY.
But what if the future is today? Looking ahead to the warm weather—and it will be here before we know it—do you have doubts about your air conditioner? Are you wondering if you should keep repairing it, or if it’s less expensive in the long-run to put in a new one?
If you’ve got these questions bouncing in your head, you’re caught doing the AC Replacement Shuffle. We have some answers for you that will help with making the choice—but eventually you’ll need our direct assistance.
Know the system age
Has your air conditioner been in service for less than 10 years? This is usually too early to have the system replaced, since 10 to 15 years is a standard system lifespan. However, if you haven’t regularly maintained the AC, it may give out on you earlier. For a system that’s made it to 15 years, congratulations! But you should also call for a professional to check over the system and see if it’s on the verge of a serious decline.
Understand repair bills
Too many repairs for an AC is a good reason to get a new AC. Repairs are throwing away money trying to squeeze a few more years of life from an aging system, and those cumulative costs often far outweigh a new installation. But how much is too much? A good rule of thumb is never to pay more than half the price of a new system on any single repair. And more than one repair a year is excessive—especially if the AC is already over 10 years old.
Analyze your utility bills
Each summer, your electrical bills increase because of the air conditioner, which puts a larger drain on electrical power. But if you’ve noticed a rise in costs beyond what you normally expect, you should find out why. It’s possible you’re using the system more often—people have moved into the house, you’ve spent more time at home, etc. But it’s also possible the AC is wearing down and costing more to operate. If this is the case, it’s best to have a replacement so you can start saving money again.
Consider upgrade options
Here’s the fun part of the replacement shuffle—learning new steps! You might want to have a new air conditioning system put in because there are some excellent upgrade options that will improve your overall comfort as well as reduce energy costs. New high-efficiency air conditioners offer exceptional money-saving performances and deliver more even cooling around the house. You may even wish to go with a ductless system.
Get in touch with us, and we’ll help you through the process of finding out if you need a new AC and what type to install if you do.
Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning: Serving Staten Island’s Heating and A/C needs since 1955.
