If your AC system seems to be struggling during Missouri’s humid summer, one of the most common questions you may ask is whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. This decision really comes down to factors like how frequently your system is breaking down, its age, its operating efficiency, and how evenly it cools your home. If you’re only experiencing a minor malfunction, repairs can be the cheaper option. However, if you have a system that’s over 15 years old and frequently breaks down, upgrading it is likely the better choice.
How Do Missouri Summers Affect Your AC System?
Missouri’s heavy humidity, combined with long stretches of high temperatures, puts an excessive amount of strain on your air conditioning system. If it has any inefficiencies or worn-out components, it’s more likely to experience a breakdown during these heat waves. As your air conditioning system is forced to run for longer hours, it puts constant wear and tear on components like blower motors, compressors, capacitors, refrigerant lines, and even evaporator coils. To make it even worse, the high humidity can have you inadvertently turning down the temperature on your thermostat, putting more strain on your system as it struggles to keep up with the temperature difference between inside and outside.
Your aging air conditioner may struggle to keep up with your cooling demands, especially if your unit hasn’t been adequately maintained over the years. As a homeowner, it’s helpful to understand the key warning signs of an aging system and learn how to make an informed decision between repairing your unit and replacing it.
Signs Your Kansas City AC May Need to Be Replaced
Probably one of the most obvious signs that your air conditioner is on its last leg is if you’re calling for frequent repairs. If you’re calling every year or multiple times a year, it’s time to consider old AC replacement in Missouri. Continuing to repair issues with your unit will simply lead to increasing AC repair costs as time goes by.
Even if you’re putting in some new components, many of the original components are nearing the end of their lifespans. You’ll just keep replacing component after component as they continue to fail. Your money is often better spent on upgrading to a new system with all brand-new components.
Another important factor to consider is operating efficiency. You may notice that your energy bills seem to be increasing each year, even though you’re not changing the usage pattern of your AC system. If you need old AC replacement in Missouri, you’ll likely notice uneven cooling throughout your home. This indicates that your system is struggling to produce enough cool air to keep your family comfortable throughout the summer. It’s also common to experience excessive indoor humidity with an aging system.
Here are some other key indicators of a failing AC system.
- Warm air coming from your vents
- Strange operational noises
- Short cycling
- Weak airflow
- Running non-stop
Repair vs Replace Rules Every Homeowner Needs to Know
There are a couple of repair versus replace rules that many homeowners can use to determine whether it makes more financial sense to repair or replace their air conditioner. One rule states that if the cost to repair your unit is one-half or more of the total cost of purchasing a new one, you should purchase a new one. This helps homeowners avoid expensive repairs for things like compressors and evaporator coils on systems that simply won’t last a whole lot longer.
Some experts even recommend multiplying the age of your system by the total cost of the repair. For example, let’s say your system is 15 years old and the AC repair costs it requires will be $500. You take $500 and multiply that by 15 years to get a total of $7,500. This second rule states that if the outcome of your equation is over $5,000, old AC replacement in Missouri makes more financial sense. In the example we went over, $7,500 exceeds $5,000, which would mean you’d want to replace your unit.
While this HVAC replacement advice can be helpful in guiding you along your decision path, one thing you don’t want to omit is professional recommendations. Our technicians can always provide you with a knowledgeable recommendation after assessing your unit to determine the most cost-effective long-term solution for you.
When Having Outdated AC Refrigerant Requires Full System Replacement
The HVAC industry has seen a lot of changes over the years with respect to refrigerants. Refrigerant is a substance inside your air conditioning system that’s responsible for absorbing heat. It absorbs heat from inside your home and transfers it to your condenser unit, which disperses that heat outside. This effectively cools the inside of your home.
Many older systems were designed to be used with R-22 refrigerant, also commonly known as Freon. Environmental regulations have phased out the use of R-22 refrigerant because it’s toxic to the environment. Purchasing R-22 refrigerant for one of those outdated systems can be exceedingly expensive because there isn’t much of it left. If your system uses R-22 refrigerant, it’s likely time to upgrade it with a newer unit that uses one of the newer A2L refrigerants.
Right after R-22 was banned in HVAC production, R-410A refrigerant replaced it. Unfortunately, after years of using R-410A, it was also determined to be harmful to the environment. HVAC manufacturers are no longer able to produce systems that use R-410A refrigerant.
While production of this refrigerant is still allowed for a few years, the allowable amount is significantly decreasing. If your system still uses R-410A refrigerant, the price to recharge that refrigerant will continue to rise. You may find it more cost-effective to simply upgrade to a newer system if your existing system has a major refrigerant leak requiring recharging service.
When Does Repairing Your AC Make the Most Sense?
Even though replacing an aging air conditioner can make more financial sense than paying for high AC repair costs, sometimes there are situations where repairs are the better choice. If your existing system is under 10 years old and has a minor issue, repairs will suffice. As long as your system has been well-maintained and your energy bills are still reasonable, repairing minor issues will be more cost-effective.
Another piece of HVAC replacement advice that you don’t want to overlook is checking your warranty coverage. If you still have the manufacturer’s warranty coverage on your unit, it makes financial sense to repair it because your warranty will cover it. However, if your unit no longer has warranty coverage, it’s important to consider AC repair costs in your ultimate decision of whether to repair or replace your air conditioner.
Reliable AC Repair Service in Kansas City
First Mate Heating & Cooling is your go-to expert for reliable AC repair service in Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding communities. We can also assist with all of your air conditioning replacement, new installation, and maintenance needs.
Contact our office today to schedule AC repair in Kansas City.
