As your utility bill continues to climb, you may wonder if your central air conditioning unit is contributing to the higher cost. If your system is ten years old or more and isn’t operating at peak efficiency even after having it serviced on a regular basis, you may want to consider the pros and cons of repair vs. replacement.
Repairs are less costly than replacement in most cases. However, you should consider the long-term cost before you decide on repairs in lieu of a new unit. New AC units use the new refrigerant and are more energy efficient, making service costs lower. The benefits of system replacement are:
* Lower utility bills
* Incentives and rebates (may depend on your location)
* Lower repair costs. New units function better and are covered under warranty, as opposed to older units.
* More comfort during hot weather
There are many cases where it’s advisable to repair rather than replace your Ductless Cooling system in Olympia WA For instance, a new system may not be in your budget, but you can easily afford repairs. If you’re planning to sell, it could make more sense to repair the system and let the home buyer handle the new installation-;but a new unit can be a strong selling point.
Refrigerant Cost
Older units that use R-22 refrigerant are more expensive to recharge, because the refrigerant is becoming scarce. Freon (also called R-410A) is also being phased out. If your unit’s coil is rusty and you’re losing refrigerant, the recharge cost could be a significant portion of your repair bill. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates the use, sale and production of refrigerants, and it plans to reduce the amount of R-22 manufactured to less than 40 million pounds per year. Visit the website .
