Are you questioning whether it's time to repair or replace your air conditioner in Florida? If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old and the estimated repair cost is close to half of its value, it may be more sensible to get a new one. It's best to contact an experienced technician from Sunset Air and Home Services for an evaluation. In addition to getting a professional opinion, look for these signs to decide if you should repair or replace your air conditioner. Excessive or increasing noise from your air conditioner or vibrations (the most common culprits are squeaks, squeaks, or grills), increased humidity levels in the house, frequent breakdowns, significant increases in energy bills, refrigerant or water leaks, thermostat problems are all signs that your air conditioner is not working properly.
According to the Department of Energy, the average lifespan of an air conditioner system in the United States is 15 to 20 years. However, in Florida, the life expectancy of the system can be much lower due to the fact that we use our air conditioners almost all year round and they are exposed to high levels of humidity, salt water and sulfur which has an impact over time. These factors result in an average life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years.
Advantages of Replacing Your Air Conditioner
If you exchange your 15-year-old 12 SEER unit for a 16 SEER2 unit, you're looking at potential cooling cost savings of 40% per annum*. Generally speaking, the operating efficiency of an air conditioner decreases over time (or due to poor maintenance).So, after fifteen years, your 12 SEER air conditioner could be operating close to a 10 SEER level. This means you could save up to 68% a year on cooling costs if you switched to a 16-unit SEER2* system. Upgrade to a system with an even higher SEER2 rating and your potential savings will increase.
When Should You Replace Your Air Conditioner?
Many homeowners find themselves spending more money on repairs than they would on a replacement. While this may slightly extend the life of the system, it will ultimately need to be replaced in the near future.If the repair cost is more than half the cost of a new unit, it's a clear sign that it needs to be replaced. Consult with an air conditioner repair expert to find out if repairs will be useful in the long term or if you should simply replace your unit.
