Considerations when deciding whether to replace or repair your air conditioner.
There are multiple considerations when deciding on the best course of action when facing an air conditioner repair.
Boer Brothers Heating and Cooling recommends that the primary consideration is the age and frequency of the repairs and the size of the current issue.
We have customers that have a small refrigerant leak in their system in the evaporator coil. It costs them a few hundred dollars a year to replace the lost refrigerant. To replace the coil might cost them $1,800 and to replace the whole air conditioner might run closer to $4500. Otherwise they are happy with the system. Eventually they will need to explore one of the other options but for now they are staying pat. This option isn’t the best from a cost benefit perspective but Boer Brothers is okay with the temporary solution because our customers are choosing this option after careful consideration of the full range of options.
One commonly quoted rule when deciding between air conditioner replacement and repair is the 5,000 rule. Basically what you do is to multiply the age of the equipment by the repair cost if that is more than $5,000 replacing the unit is the way to go. Then all else being equal if it is less than a repair it is your best cost benefit choice.
To give an example if you had a 12 year old unit with a $400 repair than the $4800 total tells us it is okay to repair but only just. In that case it is pretty much a wash. Then you might ask yourself additional questions like how comfortable you are in your home? Has the system performance gotten worse? Do you have humidity problems or issues with dust and allergens? How much is your utility bill? What has the repair history been How much efficiency can I gain with a new unit? How long are you planning on being in the home?
Boer Brothers will talk you through this decision and support you in your choice. No pressure, just good advice.