HVAC Repair vs HVAC Replacement

HVAC Replacement: The Costs Explained

Eighty-eight percent of homes in the U.S. are constructed with air conditioning, leaving only homes in high elevations or the northernmost states without. These locations do not experience prolonged periods of summer heat, so a cool breeze is sufficient on most days. If an air conditioner is only needed a few days per year, it is not a worthy investment.

Not so in South Texas. The vast majority of us rely on air conditioning for health and comfort. Technically, we could do without it, but . . . why? An early spring may have already prompted turning the AC on already. For most, it started right up, but a few of us are experiencing an early repair bill as well. A repair bill?

Well, some bills are bearable, and others create the question, “Is it time to repair or a time to replace?” If you have an early repair bill and are asking this question, here are a few HVAC Replacement considerations to help with the decision.

1. Did you know who to call for the repair? Many homeowners neglect maintenance on their central air conditioning system and might not know who to call. The HVAC filter should be changed every three months, and the system should be serviced and inspected annually. If not, problems might have developed over the years, and you are experiencing the first of several repairs.
2. Is the repair a repeat of another recent repair? Replacing the same electrical sensor or control mechanism might indicate a problem upstream or downstream from that part. On the one hand, troubleshooting can be expensive. On the other hand, remember what Albert Einstein said about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result?
3. How big is the repair bill? It used to be that a compressor motor replacement was the sure indicator of replacement—the repair cost to an old system comes too close to the replacement cost. Currently, sometimes, a coolant leak can require the replacement of the entire air conditioning system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has banned the production of some old refrigerant gases, making them either too expensive to replace or impossible to find.
4. Have you calculated the hidden costs of repairs? While this repair bill might be small to moderate, compiling repair bills over several years might tell a different story. When repairs are required frequently over a short period, it is often an indication of problems ahead.
5. Do you know the age of your air conditioner? Complete HVAC systems are kind of tricky. The average length of useful life for a furnace is 20 years, while the average length of useful life for air conditioners is 15 years. Regular maintenance often adds about 5 years of service, but air conditioners tend to wear quicker than furnaces.

   However, they are combined in most residential applications and are replaced together. If you are facing a moderate to large repair bill for an aging system, replacement might be a better choice.

This is not a comprehensive list of questions or considerations, and it might just prompt further questions. Doctor Cool’s staff is prepared to answer your questions and either make repairs or replace your current system.

Need help with HVAC Replacement? We Can Help! 

Let Doctor Cool help with your HVAC Replacement questions. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool.