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How Many AC Repairs Are Too Many? This Simple Formula Will Let You Know
The team at Home Comfort Experts understands that knowing when to replace versus when to repair your air conditioning unit can be difficult. Most homeowners only do it a couple of times in their lifetime. How do you know? Well, the good news is, it isn’t as hard as you think. You don’t even need to know that much about air conditioning units or repair costs to follow one simple rule: the $5,000 Rule.
Use the $5,000 Rule to Know if Your AC Is Worth Repairing
How does it work? It is simple. Take the age of your unit and multiply it by the amount of your last repair bill. So for example, let’s say that you have a six-year old unit and the cost of your last repair was 500 dollars. Multiplied together that total is 3,000 which is less than 5,000 so it is worth it to repair instead of replace. In the event that the total you come up with is greater than 5,000 dollars, then you should consider replacing your unit instead of repairing it because you will save more money in the long run.
Warning Signs to Look for Before Replacement
There are also some common warning signs that your air conditioning unit will need replacing in the near future. Let’s explore some of those signs so that you know what to look for and what to think about when weighing your options between repair and replacement.
High Energy Bills – If your energy bill keeps getting more expensive even though you have not changed your usage habits, your unit is running less efficiently and using more energy to keep the house cool.
Related Read: 5 Summer Energy Saving Tips for Lowering Your Bill
3 Repairs in 3 Years – If you’ve had more than three repairs in the last three years, your unit should probably be replaced. Why continue to get repairs when you can just get a new unit?
Uncomfortable Rooms – Some rooms are warm and won’t get cool. Your unit just can’t keep up with the demand. (Also, check your dampers in your ductwork and make sure vents are open and unobstructed to make sure that’s not the problem.)
Related Read: Don’t Lose 30% of Your Cool Air. Get Your Ducts in a Row
High Humidity – Your house feels humid. Your AC is working hard to remove the humidity, but can’t keep up.
If your unit is exhibiting three or more of these signs, it’s probably time to replace your air conditioner.