When is the Right Time to Replace Your Home AC Unit?

If you've kept your air conditioner in good condition throughout its lifespan, you'll likely need to replace it in about 10 to 15 years. This is the average lifespan of an HVAC unit, although it can range from 10 to 20 years depending on several factors. If your system is more than ten years old, it may appear to be working, but it's likely that it's become much less efficient and is costing you a lot of extra money.You can extend the life of your air conditioner by maintaining and servicing it at least once a year. When installing a new air conditioner during a remodel, you can work with your contractor to determine the air conditioning needs of your new space.

You can also research the rebates available in your state or municipality that may reduce the total cost of replacing your obsolete air conditioning unit.If you have a relatively new air conditioner, unless the cost of repairs amounts to thousands of dollars, it rarely makes financial sense to replace it with a new one. When deciding whether to repair or replace an air conditioner unit, there are a few factors to consider, such as the age of the unit, its performance and efficiency, and the cost of any necessary repairs. Gallup notes that your state may offer a tax credit to replace a system with a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Index (SEER), a measure of energy consumption and the efficiency of air conditioning units. While replacing your air conditioning unit is an investment, there are several incentives that can make it worthwhile.Maintenance can help your air conditioner work at its maximum capacity for longer, but at some point you'd better replace it with a newer, more efficient model.

But how can you tell if your air conditioning system needs to be replaced or if a repair will solve the problem? Here are some important signs that it's time to replace your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system instead of repairing it:

• Your AC unit is more than 10 years old
• The cost of repairs amounts to thousands of dollars
• Your system has become much less efficient
• You can't replace a broken part
• Your state offers tax credits for replacing an old system

If your air conditioner is not working properly and the warranty has expired or is invalid, you might consider replacing the unit depending on the seriousness of the problem. Learning how to replace an air conditioning unit will help you develop an action plan to avoid panic if your system breaks down on the hottest day of the year. Repairing air conditioning units requires the intervention of an expert technician, so you should always get expert advice before changing your air conditioning unit.