HVAC Tips: To Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner That is the Question?

If you’re familiar with rising energy bills and frequent calls to an HVAC repair technician, you may be wondering whether it’s time to replace your air conditioning in Detroit to save yourself the hassle of another repair. Sometimes all your air conditioning needs is a tune-up, and sometimes you need a brand-new system. Learn how to tell the difference with these handy pointers.

Cost-Effective Repair Options

There are many cases in which repairing your air conditioner—or other aspects of your home’s HVAC system—are more cost-effective than replacing your A/C.
Before considering a replacement, have your home’s ducts and insulation checked. In many cases, leaky or outdated ductwork is responsible for poor air conditioning performance and high electric bills. Leaks in your ductwork can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning by up to 30%, while poor insulation in your home can increase the cost of heating or cooling by another 30%. In these cases, repairing your ductwork or improving your home’s insulation are the best options for better performance. Additionally, have your air conditioner inspected by a professional. Low refrigerant levels, dirty coils, and other small issues can add up to reduce the efficiency of an otherwise smoothly operating unit. If your unit is less than ten years old, repairing individual components in addition to regular cleaning are the best options for keeping your home cool and comfortable all summer long. 

Signs You Should Replace Your Unit

1. In other cases, however, repairing your air conditioner may simply not be the right choice for the problem. A unit that is continually problematic can incur regular repair costs well above the value of simply replacing it with a newer model. Check whether your air conditioner was installed within the last ten years. If your unit is older than 10 years, consider replacing it to enjoy a significant improvement in cooling efficiency. Additionally, is your unit an ENERGY STAR®-approved air conditioner? ENERGY STAR® products are designed to be energy efficient, often lowering the cost of operating them by up to 50%. Finding faulty wiring that cannot be corrected, poor air circulation even when your home’s ducts are clean, and an air conditioning unit that is always running are more sign that your air conditioner may need to be replaced. These are all signs that your air conditioning is either performing poorly or is inadequate to cool the amount of space in your home. If you notice rising energy costs and repairs simply aren’t cutting it, talk to an HVAC professional in Detroit about replacing your unit altogether.

Knowing whether to replace or repair your air conditioner can save you time, money, and stress. Visit the Andy’s Statewide website to learn more about our complete range of HVAC repair and installation services in Detroit.