Repair or Replace- The epic question
During extreme hot and cold temperatures the question of should I repair or replace my furnace or air conditioner always seems to come up. Most would say “yeah, go ahead and repair it, we’ll think about replacing next season.” Next year the same song and dance. But, when is it the better idea to admit defeat and instead of siphoning money continuously into a unit that just isn’t working properly anymore, to just invest in a new furnace or air conditioner?
Well, it depends on a few factors. With a few minor changes in your spending habits, can you reasonably afford a new system? Is your air conditioner using R-22 refrigerant? If it is, you’re better off replacing because they’re phasing R-22 out to a more eco-friendly refrigerant. How old is your system? Two years old, repair. Ten years old, replace. Have you needed to have it repaired in the past? If so, start thinking of how much you’ve spent in repairs over the years.
New air conditioners and furnaces have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER) and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) which means they are more energy efficient than your older models and they’ll save you money on heating and cooling costs. To keep your system working efficiently, no matter what, you have to keep up with routine cleanings and preventative maintenance…but I digress.
I know most people out there don’t have thousands of dollars to drop on a new furnace or air conditioner at the drop of a dime, right? It’s one of those decisions that takes a lot of thought and research… but when is the best time to buy? Murphy’s Law tends to play into account when considering a new unit–everything that can go wrong will go wrong. This means when it’s a hundred degrees outside, your air conditioner will go out. Why? Because that’s how life works. Whether you decide to fix or replace, you should start saving for when problems pop up. Even saving $20 a paycheck can add up and that peace of mind money will make you feel more at ease, no matter what decision you make regarding your system when problems arise.
We have a heating and cooling expert who would be happy to come out to your home and give you an honest opinion on if your system is worth repairing or if you’re better off replacing. Give us a call at 618-BELOMAN, visit our website and check us out on Facebook.
