Replacing Versus Repairing an Air Conditioner

Replacing or Repairing Air Conditioner Unit

In a hot summer day, it is disappointing to find out that your home is warm, and your air conditioner is not working. You are about deciding on repairing the old air conditioner or replacing it with a new one. Most of the time its not an easy decision to make. There are some factors to consider before going ahead with a repair.

The age of your Air Conditioner

According to Government of Canada life expectancy of an Air Conditioner unit is approximately 10 years. Older Air conditioners may work well depending on regular maintenance, place of the AC, and initial installation of the unit.

It is recommended to replace the old AC rather than to spend on repairing it, because not only it is costly to fix the Air Conditioner, but you also may spend more on your electricity bill, bearing damages to your property, and other appliances. Repairing the old AC may be temporary or last for a short period of time. Thus, replacing is more beneficial than repairing the old AC.

Pay attention to your Hydro Bill

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the measure of Air Conditioning electricity efficiency. High SEER number means more saving on electricity consumption. The minimum SEER number of Air Conditioners in Canada is 13 SEER and Energy Star qualified Air Conditioners use 30% to 40% less energy than the old ones, according to Natural Resources of Canada Website. Air Conditioners passed their life expectancies consume more electricity than their new counterparts, even though they are still working properly. There fore, new Air Conditioner save approximately 1/3 of Hydro Bill compared with the Older Air Conditioner.

Air Conditioners using Freon (R22)

Some of old air conditioners are using freon (R22) as a refrigerant. “Hydro Choro Fluoro Carbons” (HCFC-22), R22 or Freon phased out by government of Canada in 2003 for Ozon-Layer depletion. Production of freon reduced significantly since then and as a result it is harder to find when needed. Repairing a leak in a freon refrigeration unit may Cost as much as replacing it with a new air conditioner with R410. As a rule of thumb, when repairing cost of the old AC exceeds or equal to half the cost of replacing it, replacement is the most beneficial.