The older an air conditioner gets, the more frequent repairs it will require, but users should consider whether it is worth it if a unit may need replacing.
Human beings are not the only ones who reach old age and retire from their routines at a certain point. The majority of household appliances go through the same process whereby the older they get, the more they deteriorate in performance and efficiency.
The same is true for air conditioners. These appliances have a lifespan and eventually give in. If this is the case with your AC unit, you may be torn between whether you should replace or repair your air conditioner.
Repairing an air conditioner
Air conditioners, like many appliances, malfunction and need to be repaired. Factors such as the age of your unit can increase the likelihood that your unit will need repairs as time goes on, because the air conditioner will become more prone to wear and tear issues and the functioning of some parts will deteriorate.
If you have an old air conditioner that still works, but not the same way it did when you bought it, you may be stuck between replacing the unit or just repairing it.
Is it worth it to repair an air conditioner?
It can be difficult to determine whether it is worth it to repair older air conditioners, or if you should replace it once and for all. To reach the answer, you need to weigh up some factors that can help you decide.
How long you have your unit is the first consideration. If your unit is older than a decade, it will start giving you issues which require repairs. Eventually, this will outweigh the costs of replacing the unit. In this case, it is better to replace the air conditioner.
The refrigerant component may also give you a reason to rather replace an air conditioner than repair it, especially with older units that use the R22 refrigerant.
As of 2020, this type of refrigerant has been discontinued and the cost of repairing a unit that uses it is much higher now and more challenging.
In this case, buying a unit with the readily available r-410a refrigerant is the best option. To determine the cost of replacing your old AC unit, take the quoted repair cost and multiply it by the air conditioner’s age.
| Factors to consider for repairing or replacing your AC |
| Age |
| Refrigerant type |
| Repair costs |
| Electricity costs (energy consumption) |
| How long you plan to live in your current home |
| Aesthetic design and the look of an older unit if you plan to redecorate your home |
Repairing costs versus replacing the air conditioner
When you have multiplied the cost of repairing the old air conditioner with its age, you will get an idea of the cost of replacing the unit.
This amount also gives you a broader picture of the cost of Repairing an Air Conditioner versus replacing it. If the repair cost is close to the cost of buying a new unit, then it might not be the best idea and it is in your best interests to rather buy a new unit.
- Repair cost x AC age
Consider your energy bills
If you notice that your energy bills have increased over time with your older air conditioner, this may be an indicator that your old system is no longer as efficient as it used to be and it might be worth replacing the unit with a better, more energy-efficient model.
Newer, modern air conditioners often have good energy efficiency ratios, meaning you do not have to worry about excessive energy consumption while using your unit.
Should you replace an AC unit after home renovations?
Remember that when you bought your old air conditioner, your home was the appropriate size for the unit to be able to cool it efficiently.
If, however, your home has gone through changes involving expansion and is bigger, this could be another reason why the demand on your old unit has increased.
This puts stress on the air conditioner, and while that does not necessarily warrant a complete replacement, you may consider an upgrade. This can help reduce stress on an air conditioner.