As we get nearer to the warm months of the year and spring is in full swing, you may be starting to think about turning on your air conditioning unit. There is nothing worse than going to turn it on after a long winter, to find problems. Now you are faced with the question, do you replace or repair? Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning is here to talk about some tell-tale signs that indicate you would be better off replacing your unit rather than sinking money into expensive repairs.

AC Not Cooling? Aged Air Conditioning System

You can generally plan on your air conditioning unit to last between 10 and 15 years. When you start having problems with a unit that is over 10 years old, you will probably be better off replacing rather than repairing. You will find that a newer unit will work more efficiently as well which will be savings for you.

Check the Efficiency of Your AC Unit

Every air conditioning unit is given a SEER rating which measures the unit’s efficiency. If your current air conditioning system has a low SEER rating, you are wasting money on an inefficient unit. When looking at your air conditioning system’s SEER rating, you want it to be no lower than 13. If you find the number to be lower than that, consider the savings you will receive when you replace the unit.

Expensive & Frequent AC Repairs are a Sign You Should Replace

As your air conditioner ages, you may notice that you are calling the repair man more frequently than when you first bought it. If the repairs are frequent, you might be wasting money on a lemon. Another sign that you should replace is a repair that is expensive. Sometimes, it will cost more to fix a unit that it’s worth. If you are facing repairs that are high in cost, consider the benefits of replacing.

Does Your Air Conditioner Use R22 Refrigerant?

In the past, all air conditioning units used R22. This is being phased out nationwide in an effort to conserve energy, so you will see the price of R22 sky rocketing. Newer units are using a new refrigerant known as R410A. If your air conditioning is having problems that involve the R22, you will be better off making the switch at that time to avoid the high cost involved with R22.

Professional HVAC Services in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam Massachusetts

Of course, the surest sign that you have a problem with your air conditioning unit is an uncomfortable home. No one wants to sit in their home and feel no reprieve from the heat. This is the perfect time of year to have your air conditioning unit inspected by a professional HVAC company like Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning. If there are any issues noted, we will help you weigh the pros and cons of replacing versus repairing. Call us today for any of your HVAC needs.