To Repair or Replace the Air Conditioner

You’ve made it through another Chicago winter so you can finally put away your winter boots, snow shovel, and you can finally ease up on your furnace. But this also means that another hot Chicago summer is on the way. This means bringing out the swim suits, sunscreen, sandals, and making sure your air conditioner will make it through the sweltering months. But if you’ve noticed your AC unit making funny sounds, if it’s not blowing cool air anymore, or if you’ve noticed higher energy bills, these could be signs you need a new system. But with other bills and projects adding to your to-do list for the summer, you want to know if you could just repair it instead. But how can you tell when you can simply repair the unit or when you need a new one? Your air conditioning specialists at Aircore will break it down for you.

Replace Your AC Unit If:

It’s 15 Years or Older

When you’ve been driving around your Honda Civic for 15 years, you’ll notice it takes more and more repairs in order to be reliable. The same goes for your air conditioner. The lifespan for an air conditioner is between 10 and 15 years, and when it reaches that age, it will begin to break down more frequently. So if you’re facing an expensive repair and that cost could be more than the unit is worth, it’s time to replace it.

Energy Bills Keep Rising

When it comes to your HVAC system, you’ll definitely want to take into consideration your energy bill. You may just notice that your budget is getting tighter and tighter as the months go by, especially if you do have an older unit, but there are some online tools that help you determine how much you’re spending each month.

Isn’t Functioning Efficiently

There can be various reasons for your air conditioner not functioning as efficiently as it could be, including poor insulation in your home, raising temperatures in general, or your AC might not be the right size for the job. So as time goes on, if your AC unit is having trouble keeping your home cool, and repairs are too costly, replace it.

Repair Your AC Unit If:

It’s Fewer Than 10 Years Old

Typically, you should be able to repair the unit if it’s fewer than 10 years. One instance in which repairing might not be an option if it’s out of warranty and the repair costs a significant amount. In this case, feel free to get a couple opinions from HVAC companies in Chicago to make sure someone isn’t pulling your leg. At Aircore, our technicians will always provide an honest and professional opinion.

R-22 Refrigerant

If you have an older unit, there’s a good chance it uses R-22 refrigerant. Newer models use R-410a refrigerant and supposedly is more environmentally friendly. The older models are being phased out, making them more expensive to repair. This situation could go either way, so again, take into consideration the age of the unit.

Other Considerations

The Cost is Too High

The previous reason to replace your AC unit touched on this, but we’ll go into more detail. First, keep in mind that an air conditioner replacement could range between $5,000 and $7,000. Now, take out a piece of paper and a pencil (or your smartphone). If you know how much your current repairs will cost, take that number and multiply it by how old your AC is. If that number is lower than the cost of a new unit, you can repair the unit. If that number is greater, it’s time to replace it.If you’re unsure whether or not you should replace or repair your air conditioner, give Aircore a call today. Our Chicago technicians will be there to inspect the unit and the entire system and will give you an honest and reliable opinion. Give us a call today.