Repair or Replace: What’s the Right Call?
If your unit is on the older side but less than 15 years old, it can be tough to know whether you should repair or replace it. Ultimately, the answer depends on a number of factors, such as:
• How efficient your unit is. (i.e., what the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating is). Newer units can achieve a SEER up to 25, whereas older units can be as low as eight or nine. The higher the SEER, the more efficient your unit is, which translates to long-term savings on your energy bills.
• How frequently the unit needs to be repaired. If your AC is always acting up, you can save more in the long run by replacing it.
• How satisfied you are with your current unit. Older systems don’t have the comfort controls that many of the newer ones do. If you want to utilize newer features such as programmable thermostats, zoning control and more, it might be wiser to replace your unit before it depreciates even further.
