AC Replacement Dilemma: Answering the Hard Questions

Is Your Old AC Costing You? When to Consider AC Replacement

How would you describe your relationship with your air conditioner system? Do you consider it:

• A faithful friend, running in the background of family life, never causing a bit of trouble?
• A friend from the past, but one who has turned old and cranky?
• A rude pest, always trying to flake out at the worst possible time, costing lots of money for the trouble?

No matter how you handle an aging air conditioner, the time will come when the best and only possible choice will be to replace it. Knowing when to replace the system can be determined with a few considerations.

When AC Replacement Becomes the Smart Choice

Replace an air conditioner that does not function well. That includes air conditioning that fails. That might seem to be a no-brainer, but catastrophic failure is the worst possible scenario, so let’s look at some things that might happen BEFORE complete failure.

• Losing cooling capacity. This might happen gradually over time, as upstairs spaces never seem to be comfortable or rooms at furthest from the central air cabinet become hot spots. There might be some simple solutions, uncovered with a maintenance inspection, but if the problem persists or expands, don’t wait for failure.
• Losing dehumidification. Air conditioners remove gallons of water from the air during the summer. This not only keeps occupants comfortable, but it also preserves painted/stained surfaces and prevents mold and mildew blooms. An abandoned home that has not had an AC function for years smells moldy and musty, with paint peeling and decay evident everywhere. Don’t let your home resemble an abandoned home.
• Repairs can become prohibitive for failing air conditioner systems. Wear and tear may cause the same electrical part to fail repeatedly. If a homeowner waits long enough, components will fail that are VERY expensive to replace. A financial decision will make replacement preferable to repairs.

Replace an air conditioner that is expensive to run. Continuous use for years does create wear and tear, especially on electrical/mechanical parts. Worn parts may continue to function, but they lose their efficiency along the way. Inefficient parts must work harder to accomplish the normal air conditioning tasks, and working harder requires more energy. More energy costs more money. A worn-out air conditioner costs more money to operate. An AC replacement will cost less to operate than an old air conditioner.

Replace an air conditioner system that is very old. How old is too old? Consider these air conditioner facts.

• Mechanical systems are susceptible to wear and have a limited range of useful years; this is certainly true of air conditioning and heating systems.
• The average heating system has a useful life of between 20 to 25 years
• The average air conditioning system has a useful life of between 15 and 20 years

It is very beneficial for a homeowner to know the age of the HVAC system. (The manufacturer’s website can match the serial/model number to the manufacturer’s year.)

If your air conditioner is approaching its end of life, you have time to plan an AC replacement and work it into the family budget. Planning an AC replacement is much preferable to an emergency replacement.

Don’t Wait for a Meltdown! Call AirPro Houston for an AC Replacement

With our four decades of experience as an AC replacement contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with your AC replacement questions.

We have several financing options available with great options. Up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your North Houston AC replacement needs.