Repair or Replace Your AC? A Chattanooga Guide
When an older system breaks down mid-summer, the choice between repair and replacement has to be made quickly. Thinking it through ahead of time helps.
Request an AC technicianAge
Check the data plate on the outdoor unit for the model and serial number; the serial often shows the year.
Repair history
A system needing repairs every summer is often near the end.
The size of the repair
A compressor or coil replacement on an old system can approach the price of a new one.
Refrigerant
Older systems may use refrigerants that are expensive or no longer produced.
Comfort
A house that never feels right may benefit more from a properly sized new system than from repairs.
Energy use
Newer equipment generally uses less power for the same cooling.
Timing
Planning a replacement in spring or fall avoids the summer rush.
Next
See AC replacement.
Warranty
Check whether a parts warranty still covers the failed component before deciding.
Get two opinions
For a major repair on an older system, a second opinion can be worth the time.
Ask for both prices
When a big repair comes up, ask for the repair price and a replacement estimate side by side. Seeing both makes the decision clearer.
Match the furnace
If the furnace or air handler is the same age, replacing everything together usually works better than mixing old and new parts.
Look at the ducts
A new system can only perform as well as the ducts it connects to. Have them checked before you decide.
Keep records
A folder of repair invoices shows at a glance whether a system has become a yearly expense.
Don't rush
Unless the house is unsafe, take a day to compare options before committing.
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