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A sunny room can go from relaxing to sweltering when your air conditioner breaks down. (Photo by Jeremy Deal)
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Check these factors before deciding whether your A/C needs to be repaired or replaced.
A/C pros say you should consider age and the frequency of repairs. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Thomas R. of San Diego)
Angie’s List member Nancy Thomas had had enough with her old A/C unit.
She paid an HVAC technician to top off the refrigerant in 2012 and, when her air conditioner broke down again recently, she wondered if it was time to repair or replace it.
But after receiving quotes of $4,000 to replace the 15-year-old unit and $300 to $600 to repair it — which came with no guarantee — Thomas says her best option was to leave it be.
“I live in Orange County (California), and I use my furnace and air conditioner, maybe, a grand total of six times a year,” she says. “I can suffer through the cold and heat for those few times.”
For many people, though, it’s more challenging to stay cool in the summer without A/C.
The 5,000 rule
Multiply the age of the equipment by the repair cost, and if that exceeds $5,000, then replace the unit. If less, go ahead and repair it.
Consider the age of your A/C
Age is one of the most important factors to consider when it's time to repair or replace an air conditioner, HVAC technicians say.
“We use a 5,000 rule,” says Brad Wentz, owner of Buckeye Heating & Cooling in Worthington, Ohio. “You take the age of the equipment and multiply that by the repair cost. If the number is more than $5,000, then you should consider replacement. For example, a 10-year-old unit with a $350 repair equals $3,500. It’s OK to repair.”
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Energy efficiency matters
Recent advances in A/C technology have greatly improved energy efficiency. Energy Star recommends upgrading to an energy-efficient unit if your current central air conditioner is 10 or more years old. Many HVAC technicians say they typically recommend replacing units if they are 15 years or older. Jeren Hamlin, owner of Airtech Heating & Cooling in South St. Paul, Minnesota, says the average lifespan of an A/C unit is about 14 years.
In Thomas’ case, HVAC experts say she should replace the unit because of its age and cost of the repair. (She decided to buy a ceiling fan, by the way).
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A heating and air conditioning professional should inspect your A/C system at least once each year.
R-22 can influence your options
If an A/C unit requires additional refrigerant — as Thomas’ did in 2012 — it signals there’s a coolant leak.
Topping off a system with R-22 refrigerant, known as Freon, costs as much as $40 to more than $175 per pound — which may also include the cost of the service call. Fixing the leak and putting in several pounds of refrigerant can cost $550 to $1,000, HVAC pros say.
“A unit that takes R-22 that develops a leak should probably be replaced,” Hamlin says. “Once you get a leak, the compressor (which can cost up to $2,000) will usually go out eventually.”
Repairing a leak, adding refrigerant and replacing a compressor can cost about the same as buying a new, low-end unit, Hamlin says.
R-22 prices, meanwhile, have soared in recent years due to the EPA's eventual phaseout. HVAC manufacturers stopped making units charged with R-22 in 2010. Production of R-22 will end 2020.
R-410A, a more environmentally friendly refrigerant, will replace R-22.
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Production limitations mean prices for R-22 refrigerant will only keep rising in the coming years.
Other factors affecting the repair/replace decision
Aside from the unit’s age, a few other signs can signal it’s time to replace your air conditioner, according to Energy Star. Consider how frequently you make repairs, whether your energy bills are rising or if your home is too hot in the summer.
“How long are you going to live in the house, and what are your utilities like?” Hamlin says. “If the unit is older and the repair is a couple hundred dollars, it may not be worth fixing.”
If you do buy a new, energy-efficient A/C unit — which costs $3,600 to $7,200 — Energy Star estimates a 20 percent savings on heating and cooling costs.
On the other hand, some HVAC technicians say if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. If your system shows no leaks and your energy bills are low, Hamlin sees no reason to replace it.
To gauge the condition of your existing A/C, schedule an inspection with an HVAC technician.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted on May 16, 2014.
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Have you faced the decision to repair or replace an A/C? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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