Do you have an older central air conditioner that isn’t working correctly? When summer weather arrives, we all rely on our central air. There’s nothing worse than facing a decision whether to repair or replace your air conditioner, especially when it’s hot outside. This is never an easy decision! The following article discusses various factors you should consider to make the right call for you and your home.
Air conditioning systems serve our homes wonderfully until they stop working. When this happens, homeowners call an HVAC technician to their homes, hoping for a quick fix. Those hopes are often dashed when the technician informs them that their air conditioner needs a major repair.
When this happens, homeowners have a major decision to make: Should they repair or replace their air conditioner? How can they be certain which option is best for them and their homes?
We are here to help you decide by walking you through several important factors that should go into a decision to repair or replace a central air conditioner. By the end of this article, you will understand your options and the associated costs and risks. We are here to give you confidence when you make this decision.
How Long Do Central Air Conditioners Last?
Central air conditioners can break down even a few years after installation — or up to 30 years after. Knowing the unit’s age and average lifespan of A/C systems is essential.
On average, A/C systems last about 15 years. A well-maintained system, nevertheless, should last you 20 years or more. The first key to HVAC equipment longevity is keeping everything well-maintained with regular professional service. At the same time, the average lifespan of individual air conditioner parts can be different from the system itself as a whole. We plan to look at those parts in the following before discussing how much each significant component costs to repair.
Air conditioning systems, as a whole, don’t just fail. Specific components of every type of HVAC system have higher failure rates — given normal operating conditions. As air conditioners get older, these parts begin to weaken and fail. They tend to be some of the more significant components that are far more labor-intensive. Our HVAC technicians can discuss the condition of each of these components with you.
The major components of a central air conditioning system include the following:
- The ac compressor
- The condenser/outdoor coil
- The evaporator/indoor coil
- Electrical systems are also a major part of any HVAC equipment. A/C electrical systems help all the other components — such as the capacitor, contactor, and fan motors — do their jobs.
Depending on the system, other control parts may also play an essential role in the functioning of a home cooling system.
The AC Compressor
Compressors are located inside the air conditioner. They pump the refrigerant to and from the heat-exchanging parts — such as the indoor and outdoor coils. Compressors have both electrical and mechanical parts. They can last anywhere from 12 years to 20 years.
Our HVAC field technicians have decades of combined experience. We’ve even seen compressors over 30 to 40 years old that are still pumping and working well! Compressors typically fail in one of two ways: They either get an electrical short or lock up internally. Most of them last between 15 and 20 years. Air conditioning compressors, however, can rarely be repaired.
Condenser/Outdoor Coil
Condenser/outdoor coils make up the outer wall of the air conditioner. They get rid of the heat that the evaporator has absorbed inside itself. A/C condensers usually have a very low failure rate. Because of this, they have a much longer average lifespan. Although needing to replace an outdoor coil is rare — the cost is similar to that of an evaporator. In the following, we’ll talk about specific costs. Smaller components still play a major role in how the air conditioner runs. We turn the system off and on. In most homes, 240 volts pass through it. They tend to get burned over time, and the metal gets pits on the surface from the operation — which hinders electrical flow.
A/C capacitors help regulate the electric flow. Electricity comes through as a single line. However, the pace isn’t regular. Capacitors act as a second line through which the incoming electricity can pace itself properly. Most people encounter problems with these are usually tied to other issues causing the air conditioner to run for long periods. Dirty coils, extreme heat, and low refrigerant levels are common culprits. AC fan motors draw air across the condenser coil. They can lock up, or the fan blade itself can get damaged. Dirty condenser coils are hard on these motors. These components usually last anywhere from 10 to 12 years. However, they can last much longer with regular professional maintenance from a company like Five Star Home Services.
The last part we need to take into consideration is the refrigerant itself. Older units (10+ years) often have R22 refrigerant. This refrigerant is now illegal to produce in the U.S. Because of this, it is very expensive as the reserves available continue to dwindle.
Any central air conditioner that contains R22 refrigerant should be seriously considered for replacement. You might only have a simple repair on your hands at the moment. However, once it begins leaking, you won’t be able to repair it.
Although the availability of parts varies, we at Five Star Home Services can find most parts for 30 years or older furnaces. Unfortunately, air conditioners can be more difficult, especially refrigerant components. Anything older than 25 years old is especially difficult. Good HVAC companies like Five Star Home Services should be able to educate you on the availability of parts for your system — no matter how old the system is. The overall average lifespan of a central air conditioner is around 15 years, though many can last longer with proper maintenance.
Evaporator/Indoor Coil
Evaporator/indoor coils usually sit on a furnace or inside the air handler. They absorb heat from the house and send it to the compressor. Most evaporator coils today are made of copper, steel, and aluminum. They can start leaking refrigerant as early as 12 years. However, most of the time, it is between 15 and 20 years when they start leaking.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair an Air Conditioner?
Have you ever had a mechanic tell you there’s a problem with your car and it might fail before too long? If you’re like most people, you probably want to know if it needs to be taken care of immediately. We are often told it doesn’t, but the mechanic can’t tell us how long it will be before the problem needs immediate attention.
This same scenario is often true for HVAC repair, especially A/C repair. So we leave the car shop (or HVAC repair appointment) without having to pay a lot of money at that time. Nevertheless, there is a problem with this approach. This problem includes the following:
- You’ll likely become worried whenever there is a weird noise, grind, or bump.
- The need for repairs is now in your mind and becomes a source of worry.
- On the flip side, if you get it repaired, you will feel more confident and have peace of mind.
The situation is much different, but nevertheless, if you have a breakdown, the experience of not having a car—which is essential for most people—is bad enough that you’ll likely do whatever you can not to have to go through it again.
If there are other problems with the car, however, you will likely decide on one of several options:
- Get them all taken care of and have a much lower chance of problems.
- Take care of only the most prominent issues and deal with it when necessary (kicking the can further down the road).
- Make the decision to replace it.
Similar to the illustration above, there are very important considerations when deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. Cost is a major one. For your information, below are some of the average costs of many of the components listed:
- Smaller components: $300 to $800
- Evaporator replacement: $1,500
- Compressor replacement: $2,000
- Condenser replacement: $1,700
Failure with any of these A/C components can lead to a repair vs. replacement dilemma. In the following, we’ll look at other factors in the cost equation: such as air conditioner efficiency.
How Efficient Is My Current Air Conditioner?
Energy bills, and especially home cooling costs, can become a real thorn in your side if your air conditioner is either old or in disrepair. Although cleaning and maintenance performed by a licensed technician like Five Star Home Services can help — some signs of age, including efficiency, cannot be fixed without a full replacement.
An air conditioning’s efficiency is measured by SEER Rating. This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s a measure of the heat removed relative to the total energy consumed by the unit. Think of it similar to the miles per gallon in a car. The more efficient the car is, the better the gas mileage. The more efficient the air conditioner, the better the SEER rating.
SEER ratings start at about eight and goes up from there. Although there isn’t a maximum, the most efficient centralized air conditioners usually run in the 20 to 25 SEER range. During the 1990s, the laws changed and required all new AC systems be at least 10 SEER. This went up in 2006 (13 SEER minimum) and again in 2015 (14 SEER minimum, or 14.5 in the southwest region of the country).
This means the older the system, the more likely it will be inefficient relative to a new cooling system. This has a major effect on your electrical usage and utility bills.
It’s important to note that SEER isn’t the only element of efficiency. The frequency of professional maintenance, proper amounts of refrigerant, and the condition of your electrical parts all contribute to your system’s overall energy efficiency.
Proper sizing also plays a major role in the energy usage of your HVAC system. Air conditioners need to match the needs of the home as much as possible. If your AC unit is too large, it will draw in more electricity than it should when it’s running, and it will not properly dehumidify. If it is too small, on the other hand, it runs longer than it’s made to and have a difficult time maintaining the set temperature. Sizing should almost always lead to a replacement. Good HVAC contractors will properly size your home, windows, and doors to make sure that any new system is the right size for your home.
If your home’s electric bills are higher than you’d like, replacing the system can certainly help. It is good to have an idea of how much this can help, however, so your expectations are fairly accurate. Knowledgeable HVAC representatives can quantify your savings over a period of time — based on the new unit’s efficiency compared to your existing system.
We inform you of all the information on your current air conditioner, how you can optimize its efficiency, and tell you about higher efficiency units — even if you aren’t considering replacement yet.
How Long Will You Be Staying in the House?
So you know you can save on a new air conditioner. However, what if you only enjoy those savings for a few years? If you want to sell your home soon, the savings you see from efficiency might not be enough to justify a new purchase. However, it will increase your home’s value for the sale. If you plan on being in the house for a while, nevertheless, most homeowners lean towards a replacement for several reasons:
- You will no longer have to worry about making repairs any time soon.
- A new A/C system decreases your home cooling bills immediately.
Newer AC systems usually come with a 10-year warranty. These warranties are also usually transferable to a new homeowner if you are selling the home. However, this doesn’t mean that if you have a problem, the replacement will be free. Warranties usually cover parts, not labor. However, extended labor warranties are also available through reputable HVAC contractors like Five Star Home Services.
On the other hand, if you aren’t planning to be in your house for very long, performing a repair might be a better option. However, if your system is pretty old, it might be worth making the replacement. New home buyers often look at the age of an A/C system when asking for a reduction in the sale price.
In short, there are many factors so there really isn’t a “one size fits all” solution. This underscores why the decision is ultimately personal. Reputable HVAC contractors like Five Star Home Services can help — which leads us to our next topic: Your home comfort needs.
Does My Current Air Conditioner Meet My Needs?
In addition to the equipment’s age and cost, you should also ask yourself these questions:
- Is my air conditioner noisy or does it vibrate?
- Does my air conditioning system dehumidify my house well?
- Is my unit too close to a feature in the yard, such as a deck or other structure, preventing other projects or generating noise?
- Is my AC unit an eyesore?
Although all of these might not always be pertinent factors in a decision to repair vs. replace — many of them can be, depending on your current situation.
In fact, answering these questions can lead to different types of solutions. For example, a new air conditioner might be the solution if your home feels too humid during the summer. However, depending on the situation, you might also be better off with a whole-home dehumidifier. As always, having a knowledgeable HVAC representative like Five Star Home Services is a huge plus. We can walk you through all of your options. Additionally, it is essential to know about each beforehand.
Additionally, noise can be an issue. There are many components that can affect noise levels. You could have low refrigerant, noisy electrical components, a slightly bent fan blade, or a loud compressor. Each one of these parts can be replaced. However, the replacement cost must be weighed against this article’s other factors.
If you learn that it’s not just a single part causing the noises, sometimes making repairs is your best option. However, if it’s system-wide, newer systems tend to run much quieter than their older counterparts. In the past, we have even had homeowners say their new system isn’t running properly simply because it’s a lot quieter than their previous system!
Locations can also affect noise levels — especially if the A/C unit is near somewhere you gather, such as a patio or deck. Moving a new system a little further away from a deck or other feature sometimes makes the noise significantly less. Moving a central air conditioning system can be challenging and risky, especially with older systems. However, it is yet one more option for a thorough HVAC company.
Last but not least, years of wear and tear and rust can wreak havoc on your system, making it a sore sight. Most homeowners take pride in their homes. They want their HVAC equipment to match. They take care of their yard and home. Although this is an aesthetic consideration, not one related to the air conditioner’s operation, it still matters. We at Five Star Home Services want your home to look the best outside while you enjoy optimal comfort inside. We want you to enjoy comfort and peace of mind!
Benefits of Replacing My Air Conditioner
Although there are countless scenarios in which it makes more sense to repair a system, the benefits of replacing it should also be considered. The benefits of AC replacement include the following:
- New systems look better
- Your house will be more comfortable
- They run a lot smoother and, hence, quieter
- You deal with less stress from the old system
- Higher efficiency, and thus reduced cost, from your air conditioner
- You’ll have a long-term warranty for parts and potential labor
These factors can help you make your decision. Either way, we at Five Star Home Services are here when you finally do decide to replace the air conditioner.
Do You Need to Replace or Repair Your Air Conditioner?
As your local HVAC provider, we love getting any system running to its fullest potential! However, sometimes a repair is not necessary when a replacement is more feasible.
We always ensure that our customers have complete control throughout the decision-making process. We lay out all of your options and discuss them. Our friendly, honest HVAC technicians also give you their opinion to ensure that you have their professional assessment.
When it comes down to it — it’s entirely up to you whether you decide to repair or replace your central air conditioning system. You should never feel like a professional is pushing you one way or another. We advise and educate you on all of your options. Although we might give you our opinion, we will never use sales pressure tactics to do more than that. We want you happy with our services!
In any case, a properly repaired and properly maintained AC system can last you decades. New home cooling systems have many benefits that older systems don’t. Each decision is up to each individual. However, having the right information and understanding when you make your decision is a major first step in making the right one. We at Five Star Home Services want you to make the right call. Although we are happy to repair or install, your overall satisfaction comes first!
Whether you decide to repair or replace, we at Five Star Home Services are here to take care of your air. Just give us a call. If you decide, however, to start the replacement process, we also strongly encourage you to call us!
Next Steps
We can set an appointment right away for one of our friendly residential sales professionals to come over and perform a load calculation before reviewing all of your options.
At Five Star Home Services, we take pride in doing the work thoroughly the first time, every time. Whether it’s a repair or replacement, we have the expertise and knowledge to get your system working quietly and efficiently to provide maximum comfort to your home.
If you’re in Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, OH, or the surrounding areas, call us! We’d love to discuss your options and help you meet and exceed your indoor cooling needs. Get started with a quote today!
